Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) was sworn in as governor of Lower Austria on Friday afternoon in the Vienna Hofburg. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen also referred to the black-blue alliance in the country and did not spare his criticism: “Many people are concerned and I can understand many of these concerns.” The head of state denounced “anti-science” and the PVV’s critical attitude towards the EU and also referred to National Socialism in his speech. In the end, he directly warned Mikl-Leitner, “People will take a good look at how this state government behaves!”
Van der Bellen stressed that an Öxit (ie Austria’s departure from the EU) should not be a political issue. “Whoever plays with the idea of an Öxit, plays with Austria’s future.”
“generally harmful”
Such talk harms Austria’s interests and is “generally harmful” to the country’s positive development, Van der Bellen continued. Other matters of conscience: the rights of minorities must be particularly respected and protected, respect for the media must be maintained.
“Facts are Facts”
He also noted hostility to science in the FPÖ (for example, in the field of corona vaccination). “Facts are facts and cannot be arbitrarily replaced by fake facts. We must not upset our fellow citizens by questioning things that have been scientifically proven.”
“National Socialism must never repeat itself”
Van der Bellen also commented on the right-wing extremist tendencies within the FPÖ Lower Austria (key dictionary affair). National Socialism “with its murderous ideology” must never be repeated, said the Federal President. “Making the unspeakable even more pronounceable, always appealing a little more to the lowest instincts” is playing with fire.
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.
