Austria’s far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) is under fire after hidden camera footage exposed senior members making inflammatory remarks about Afghan refugees, the European Union, and their potential coalition partners, the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP).

The recordings, published by the Austrian newspaper Der Standard and obtained by French journalists from France Télévisions, have sparked outrage and could jeopardize the FPÖ’s efforts to form a government.

The footage, recorded during a party meeting at a pub in Vienna’s Simmering district, captures FPÖ Members of Parliament Harald Stefan and Markus Tschank delivering controversial tirades.

Stefan criticized the EU as "insane" and accused it of "surveillance" and "repression of freedom of speech." He lamented that leaving the bloc was not a viable option but suggested Austria should consider paying the Taliban to repatriate Afghan migrants.

“Every one of these knife-wielding sex offenders that leaves our country is worth a lot of money,” he said, adding, “I’d be happy to pay taxes for that.”

Tschank echoed similarly hardline views, proposing a “cultural struggle” against migrants and suggesting that if such efforts failed, they should be forcibly removed.

“We have to make it as unpleasant as possible for these people—then they’ll stop coming,” he stated.

The leaked video also revealed disparaging comments about the ÖVP, the FPÖ’s likely coalition partner following Karl Nehammer’s recent resignation as chancellor.

Tschank described the ÖVP as a "pitiful" party "horny for power" that "actually belongs banned from government.” The remarks risk undermining ongoing coalition talks, which are seen as pivotal for FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl’s chances of becoming chancellor.

This controversy comes as the FPÖ attempts to project a more moderate image in a bid to gain broader public support.

The party has been a prominent player in Austrian politics, previously forming coalitions with the ÖVP in 2000 and 2017. However, its last stint in government ended in scandal with the infamous Ibiza affair, leading to the collapse of the coalition.

The FPÖ’s comments about migration and the EU are likely to draw sharp criticism from both domestic and international observers.

Austria has long been a key player in European migration debates, and the FPÖ’s stance could further polarize public opinion on the issue.

As coalition negotiations continue, the fallout from these revelations may test the FPÖ’s ability to maintain political momentum while managing the implications of its members’ controversial rhetoric.