Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen arrives to celebrate the 800th anniversary in the small district capital of Eferding – and is booed by an organized group. The incident at the gig with LH Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP) last weekend – we reported – raises questions: how much disrespect must politicians endure? Are they fair game to those who think differently because of their career choice?
One thing is certain: according to the current APA/OGM confidence index, the reputation of politicians is worse than ever: with Van der Bellen, even the most popular politician lost ten points of confidence compared to March.
Unpopular decisions
In his office people react calmly: The demo vote in Eferding is probably due to the upcoming federal presidential elections. Stelzer, on the other hand, has developed a thick skin: “When you bear political responsibility, you should not be sensitive.” As a politician you have to make decisions again and again, “that are equal, but sometimes unpopular”.
Threats against Anschober
Someone who should know is ex health minister Rudi Anschober, who was under 24-hour police protection at his home due to death threats before his resignation in April 2021. And even now, in lectures for his book “Pandemia”, there have already been events that have been disrupted by aggressive corona deniers. “There was no chance of a discourse,” says the Upper Austrian.
“Radical Honesty”
Stelzer and Anschober agree: there is a gap in society that needs to be filled. “We need to find forums where respectful discourse can take place,” Anschober says. And it needs a “radical honesty” in politics: “Then it will be more respected again.”
Source: Krone
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