The crisis year made enough headlines. From climate to war and from inflation to politics. The “Krone” looks back at the Hofburg with the Federal President – and ahead.
The mood in the Presidential Chancellery on Heldenplatz in central Vienna is already in the mood for Christmas. The Christmas tree, a proud 15-foot Nordmann spruce from the small Lower Austrian community of Sulz in the Vienna Woods, was personally decorated in the Hall of Mirrors of the Hofburg by the re-elected Head of the Household, Alexander Van der Bellen. Discreet with straw stars, apples, natural energy-saving LED string lights – and presidential balls.
When asked if his chosen statement of the year “It must not all be true” aptly characterizes 2022, a smile appears on the face of the head of state at the portrait of Maria Theresa, who looked down on an unusually large number of sworn members of the government in recent years.
“More and more people are having a hard time”
But also for the Federal President, the headlines dominated this year’s review: “When we read the newspapers, scroll through our timelines or watch the news, our worries seem to grow steadily. In addition to the consequences of the climate crisis or domestic political turbulence eroding confidence in democracy, something almost unimaginable has happened this year: war in the middle of Europe.”
In addition to the endless suffering that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression means for the people of Ukraine, we would experience massive inflation here in Austria and in much of Europe. Alexander Van der Bellen in view of sky-high prices and record inflation: “More and more people are finding it difficult to pay rent, groceries, petrol and electricity. This is our reality.”
“I am confident that we can do it”
After looking back at the turbulent year, we should not forget to look ahead to the unknown. And looking ahead, the supreme guardian of the “elegant federal constitution” exudes calm and optimism: “Now and in the coming year, it is more necessary than ever to stand together, help together and look to each other. Only then can we achieve the immense challenges, I am confident that we can do it!”
Incidentally, the Federal President will spend Christmas Eve and holidays with his ‘First Lady’ Doris Schmidauer, alternately at his home in Tyrol and at the hunting lodge in Mürzsteg in Styria. And what kind of headline would he personally want for 2023? Alexander Van der Bellen’s answer was as clear as it was quick: “The war is over!” Christopher Budin
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
