Elections in Austria – Van der Bellen: The crisis juggler is about to be re-elected – News
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To scandals, war and he said decisive. Alexander van der Bellen is now aiming for a second term.
May 2019. The so-called Ibiza video really shocked Austria. Heinz-Christian Strache had let himself be lathered by an alleged Russian oligarch niece in front of the camera.
The impression was created that right-wing nationalist Strache, who later became vice chancellor, could be bought. The government collapsed over this scandal. Austria slid deep into the crisis.
In this statement, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen confirmed himself as a real rock in the surf: “These are days that may seem confusing. But there’s no reason to be concerned. Because it is precisely in times like these that the elegance and beauty of our Austrian federal constitution becomes apparent.» The beautiful condition as a crash barrier and Van der Bellen at the wheel with a sure, steady hand.
Chancellor falls, Federal President makes it clear
Something similar happened two years later, in autumn 2021. At that time it was Chancellor Sebastian Kurz who startled the country. His closest followers are said to have used tax money to falsify election polls and published them in newspapers. And chats were published by Kurz and his entourage. A prose that is not ready for publication, also because of the coarse, filthy sayings.
Once again, the Federal President had to intervene and clarify a few things: “Once again we see a moral image that is not good for democracy. We hear a tone of disrespect for the people and institutions of our rule of law, both in individual chats and in current statements.”
Before Van der Bellen, an Austrian Federal President usually acted as a kind of senior state notary. Federal Presidents signed instruments of appointment and dismissal of Federal Chancellors or cabinet members. And they resided in the imperial chambers of the Hofburg, which Empress Sissi and her Franz-Joseph had already lived in. There they shook the hands of foreign state guests.
If no action is taken now, we will also be heading towards a massive loss of solidarity – and ultimately towards a massive threat to our democracy.
But Van der Bellen had to do a lot more, he was challenged: corruption scandals, government crises, pandemic and now the war in Ukraine. The Federal President repeatedly spoke about this and decisive things, most recently at the opening of the Salzburg Festival.
«Our beautiful, much loved and much tested Austria is heading towards a massive energy and warming problem. If no action is taken now, we are also heading towards a massive loss of solidarity – and ultimately towards a massive threat to our democracy.”
Challenger from the FPÖ
Van der Bellen fears a loss of solidarity, i.e. serious social upheaval as a result of the Ukraine war. Clear words, but not clear enough for everyone. Walter Rosenkranz from the right-wing national FPÖ challenges the incumbent. Rosencrantz would like to be even more political if he moves into the Hofburg.
He told the ORF on the sidelines of a folk festival: “The Federal President said he would not interfere in daily politics. That means he is silent on concerns such as inflation and violations of civil liberties. As a head of state elected by the people, you cannot remain silent about it.”
It is widely expected that incumbent Alexander van der Bellen WILL be re-elected significantly. If he already gets more than 50 percent of the votes on Sunday, then in the first ballot.