Opposition shocked – “On the Bluatwiese”: fuss about the inaugural speech

To what extent are exaggerated statements allowed in politics and when is a line crossed? If the ÖVP and FPÖ have their way in Mattersburg, the new SPÖ deputy mayor Thomas Nikles crossed the line when he made his debut in the city council. In his inaugural speech he expressed the opposition of a ‘bloody pasture’. ÖVP and FPÖ are shocked.

“In the wrong movie”
“I thought I was in the wrong film,” says FPÖ city councilor Peter Pregl. Even if the speaker’s meaning was exaggerated, such a statement should not be made in the post. ÖVP municipal councilor Thomas Haffer is also irritated: “I was speechless. We have always had heated discussions in the municipal council about the content, but I have never experienced anything like this.” A mistake is always possible, but Nikles must apologize for it, Haffer says.

Polemical ÖVP messages
The deputy mayor cannot understand the excitement. Although the expression was “rough,” the meeting made it clear what it meant. The background is that the ÖVP has posted very polemical messages on social media in the past, some of which contained false accusations. It was claimed, among other things, that the city center would be ‘outfitted’ by a new supermarket on the outskirts. The ÖVP is also not prudish in its choice of words.

Ready to fight
That is why, in his inaugural speech, he called on the opposition to work together constructively. At the same time, however, he made it clear that they would defend themselves if they were dragged to the “meadow of blood” by the opposition. What he meant was that they would accept the political struggle if the opposition sought a dispute. There will be no apology, but Nikles does not want to use that tonality in the future.