Leadership style

Aiwanger has been accused of lack of leadership by members of the Federal Executive of Free Voters, especially regarding alleged poor housekeeping of some national associations. This led to the resignation of the Federal Managing Director Cordula Breitenfellner and Judge Bernd Richter.^[8] After the designated candidate for the federal election, Stephan Werhahn, allegedly critisied Aiwanger, saying, among other things, "dictatorial leadership conditions as in Cuba^[9]", the board of Saarland^[10] demanded his resignation as federal chairman.

The run-up to the Federal election in 2013 was met with criticism from within the Free Voters Party.^[11][12]

Twitter jokes

In January^[13] and February^[14] of 2012, Aiwanger was criticised for tweeting jokes and, as a result of criticism from within his Party, he deleted his Twitter account on February 9, 2012. He reopened his account in February 2016.^[15]

Antisemitic pamphlet

In August 2023, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported on a pamphlet with antisemitic contents that Aiwanger may have authored and distributed at his high school some 35 years ago as a 17-year-old.^[16] Aiwanger admitted to carrying copies in his satchel but denied writing the document. His older brother, a student at the same school at the time, later took responsibility for writing the antisemitic pamphlet itself.^[17] The Süddeutsche Zeitung drew some criticism for publishing the story, six weeks before the 2023 Bavarian state election, without conclusive evidence and without talking to Aiwanger before publication.^[18] Bavarian premier Markus Söder demanded that Aiwanger answer 25 questions on the matter, including whether Aiwainger had actively distributed the antisemitic pamphlet. Aiwanger claimed multiple times to "not remember."^[19] Aiwanger's responses were heavily criticised as short and evasive.^[20]

In his response to a question about other incidents, Aiwanger shortly mentioned that he remembers an unrelated incident in the arts class and noted a caution against breach of secrecy.^[21]

Despite the story, Aiwanger party saw an increase in support in the Polls.^[22][23][24]

Migration and immigration policy

Aiwanger has said in the context of the refugee crisis that Germany must be "satisfied and happy" that Austria would no longer beckon refugees. He also commented positively on the fact that the Balkan route was closed, but at the same time warned against new waves of refugees. Aiwanger said that politically persecuted people must receive asylum, but he sees them as "temporary guests^[25]". Aiwanger complains that the immigration policy of recent years has been poorly controlled. He subsequently advocates immigration according to the Canadian merit-based model.^[26]

EU bailouts

Aiwanger has positioned the Free Voters as a protest party against the Euro Bailout policy. Their demonstrations for this cause have been criticized by, amongst others, the Green Party.^[27]

Referendum campaign designed to reintroduce the G9 Gymnasium system

Aiwanger and the Free Voters successfully organized a referendum on the issue of the Gymnasium length in 2014 with the intent of reintroducing the 9 year Gymnasium in Bavaria as opposed to the 8 year Gymnasium that most states in Germany had started switching to since the early 2000s.^[28] The Free Voters succeeded in reinstituting the G9, despite opposition from the CSU, who wanted to introduce a “flexibilization year” for Gymnasium students, i.e. an optional 9th year, as well as the Greens, who simply want to improve the G8 system. ^[29]

Abolition of tuition fees in higher education

From the 17th until the 30th of July 2013, the Aiwanger and the Free Voters successfully campaigned for a referendum to abolish college tuition in Bavaria. The referendum “No to school tuitions in Bavaria” (German: Nein zu Studiengebühren in Bayern) earned 14.3% of the 2013 vote. After the Bavarian Parliament approved the proposal it was implemented during the 2013/2014 school year.^[30]

Abolition of road improvements contribution taxes

Under Aiwanger's leadership, the Free Voters have also successfully abolished taxes regarding road improvement contributions (German: Straßenausbaubeiträge, shortened to Strab).^[31] This tax was paid for by homeowners on the street in which road improvement was occurring in order to finance the road maintenance. After the 1st of January, 2018, this tax was no longer levied due to the Free Voter's efforts.^[32]