The EU elections are fast approaching. The intensive election campaign is already underway, which is evident not least from the Lena Schilling case. But what drives the top candidates of the Austrian parties? Communications expert Jürgen Eisserer examined Reinhold Lopatka (ÖVP), Andreas Schieder (SPÖ), Harald Vilimsky (FPÖ), Lena Schilling (Greens) and Helmut Brandstätter (Neos).
In his analyses, in addition to the spoken word, Eisserer mainly pays attention to what one does not hear or perhaps only subtly notices. In other words: body language, facial expressions, gestures. A good speaker is not the same as a good politician, but: “The clearer and more precise the messages are, the better.” “The better you can deal with difficult situations in discussions, the better suited someone is for politics. Because there is always headwind.”
Anyone who demands transparency must provide transparency
The Greens in particular are currently illustrating what is wrong with communication. “The Greens in particular are taking action and demanding transparent politics, and we must set a good example accordingly.” Eisserer is said to have wanted a quiet counter-offensive at the beginning of the Lena Schilling case. “You must reveal what happened here and what you can do about it.” If there is even more headwind, you increase the intensity of the campaign: “Here you have to argue with clear arguments.” with high intensity. “Unfortunately, that was already the case in the first phase.” Eisserer refers to Werner Kogler, who started intensively with verbal attacks from the start and later even apologized for it.
According to Eisserer, the responsibility of a leading EU candidate is incredibly great. Media training and communication training are an absolute must. “That I am rhetorically fit enough to be able to withstand a certain amount of pushback in any discussion, or at least to have the resources to deal with such situations. And that is only partly the case here. And from my personal rhetorical point of view, that was an unfortunate choice.”
We explain what Austria is currently dealing with: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
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.
