The election campaign of Green EU top candidate Lena Schilling has been rocked following allegations against her. The party is threatening a debacle, the climate activist is in free fall in the polls. A second wave of posters is intended to save what can be saved.
However, at the beginning of the poster unveiling, it was again about the private life of the independent climate activist. “Yes, the past ten days have been turbulent to say the least,” Schilling explains. She regrets if her actions have offended anyone.
But she wants to set the record straight: the rumor that she claimed to have been sexually harassed by her sponsor Sigrid Maurer is simply false. She also denied allegations that she almost cost a journalist his job. Schilling can understand that ‘people’ want more transparency about the lying accusations. Here she may have ‘hindered’ a bit.
Schilling now wants to devote himself again to the European reality. A cross for the Greens in the EU elections is now necessary because it is about the future, the climate and democracy. “If we don’t stay loud, no one will,” which is why she has always ruled out political withdrawal. Even though the past few days have been – “in all honesty” – difficult. She now wants to prove what kind of person she is.
Greens in free fall
At their side was the Green Party leadership in the form of party leader Werner Kogler and general secretary Olga Voglauer. The public debate surrounding Schilling’s alleged missteps had a significant impact on the party. In the new APA/OGM confidence index, the Greens fell sharply, Schilling even finished in penultimate place, behind their EU competitors. It was only undermined by the President of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP).
Kogler also tried to smooth out the waves in recent days. Knowing that he himself contributed to it. In an initially unsuccessful response to the accusations, “the horses ran away with me.” This angered some Austrians. But now it’s about Europe and that affects everyone. A fundamental question requires an answer: “To protect nature or destroy the basis of life?”
The Green Party’s poster campaign is similar in principle. It says: ‘Because it’s about the climate’, ‘Because it’s about democracy’, ‘Because it’s about Europe’, ‘Because it’s about your future.’ Nothing can be taken for granted anymore, says Kogler. There are not only tipping points for the climate, this also applies to democracies: “Keyword Orbanistan!”
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.
