As soon as the first election posters are hung, vandals crawl out of their holes under the cover of darkness and deface them. The Freedom Party is often the target – but not only. Innsbruck’s FPÖ veteran Rudi Federspiel is now offering a conqueror’s reward of 1,500 euros.
Once they hang, they become objects of desire almost overnight – the more or less meaningful posters of the parties, which currently, in countless versions, “beautify” the landscape for many people during the National Council election campaign.
In the run-up to elections, politically dissident people always come forward, whether they are Michelangelos in disguise or just slightly confused vandals.
A fine or even a prison sentence
They then blow off steam on the posters and sometimes on the stands, with little regard for the fact that this is a criminal offence punishable by a fine or even imprisonment. Assuming you get caught of course.
FPÖ, but also other involved parties
What is interesting is that the ‘slanderers’, regardless of their political background, mainly target posters of the Freedom Party. But those of the ÖVP and sometimes Neos are now among the projects chosen by the vandals.
Of course, this would make it possible to draw conclusions about certain parties, but of course the general presumption of innocence applies here. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that, as happens in some fire departments, the detonator originates from within the fire department.
Bonus for catching the perpetrators
In this regard, you can rely on FPÖ veteran Rudi Federspiel. The chairman of the Innsbruck city party then does what you would expect from him when something makes him angry: he offers a reward for catching the ‘perpetrators’ as private individuals. This time it is 1,500 euros (it is unclear whether he ever paid out his bonuses).
But for Federspiel it is clear who the unknown people are: “Clearly left-wing extremist poster vandalism must not be tolerated and therefore must not be made indirectly politically acceptable,” he states indignantly. He also expects the other political candidates to distance themselves because: “Any damage is damage to property, a criminal offense, so I expect a strong condemnation of this graffiti from all other parties.”
Attack on freedom of expression
At least from the ranks of the ÖVP come the similar tones that Federspiel longs for. Christoph Appler, member of the state parliament of Innsbruck, also condemns the damage to election posters and calls it an attack on freedom of expression and democratic discourse.
Appler, who is also the ÖVP’s security spokesman, sees political posters as an important signal for the election campaign. He also hopes that the perpetrators will be identified quickly. Unlike Federspiel, he has not yet offered a catch bonus.
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.
