• croatiantimes.com
• romaniantimes.at
• salzburgtimes.at
• viennatimes.at
• austrianindependent.com

Today

• Vienna - VESCC English Catholic Mass
• Vienna - Unknown Underground
• Vienna - Cats
• Vienna - Andy Warhol
• Vienna - Laser Tag

© www.bundespraesident.at

01. 02. 12. - 15:00

• more General News news
• RSS Feed General News

01. 02. 12. - 15:00

No accolade for Strache after pogrom comparison

Federal President Heinz Fischer has decided to abstain from honouring Freedom Party (FPÖ) boss Heinz-Christian Strache following a controversial remark.

The FPÖ chairman was quoted as calling his political movement as "the new Jews" during the Viennese Corporations Ball. The event took place in Vienna on Friday. A journalist also claimed Strache said that occurrences outside Hofburg Palace bore resemblance to what the Nazis did to the Jews ahead and during World War Two (WWII).

The politician, who has headed the FPÖ since 2005, was set to receive the Republic of Austria’s Golden Badge of Honour with Star for being a member of the city hall and federal parliament for 10 years altogether. Several Social Democratic (SPÖ) and People’s Party (ÖVP) government ministers will receive the same medal in a few weeks’ time too for being in office for three years.

FPÖ General Secretary Harald Vilimsky said last week it was "utterly unacceptable" that ministers were honoured for "doing nothing but warming their seats for three years". Vilimsky branded the practice as a bad example for Austrian regulations and bureaucracy – but also made clear that Strache would accept the decoration.

Now Fischer revealed that he decided to delay the investiture to Strache indefinitely due to his latest remarks. Constitutional experts think that this decision kept the FPÖ boss from receiving the medal for as at least as long as Fischer is in office since the president did not disclose which aspects may make him change his mind. The developments could also start a debate about a reform of the criteria for the state’s investitures.

Strache attacked the former SPÖ parliament member in a TV interview yesterday evening (Tues). The right-winger said he was disappointed by Fischer for failing to get in touch with him regarding the issue. Strache argued Fischer should have asked him personally whether he actually said what a journalist accused him of at the weekend.

FPÖ General Secretary Harald Kickl announced today that Fischer acted "by acclamation of Austria’s left-leaning hunting society". Strache told broadcasting company ORF yesterday his quotes were taken out of context. The FPÖ chief pledged it was not his intention to downplay the sufferings of Europe’s Jewish community. He said the statements were made under the impression of what guests of the ball had to endure upon arrival at Hofburg Palace.

The SPÖ accused Strache of having an "absurd approach to history" while the ÖVP appealed to the right-winger to attend history lessons. The Green Party – which co-organised a peaceful anti-Vienna Corporations Ball event – said Strache disqualified himself as a politician a long time ago.

Hundreds of people took to the streets against the ball on Friday evening. Critics say the annual ball is a get-together of Europe’s right-wing extremists and far-right student fraternities. A few people were injured as demonstrators tried to keep ball guests from entering the venue. The peaceful gathering against the event was attended by unionists, politicians and students. Police said people from all over the continent caused the riots which followed.

Organisers of the ball are forced to search for a new location as a group of companies in charge of promotional and marketing activities of Hofburg Palace decided not to extend the contract due to the political background of the event. Hofburg Palace is one of Vienna’s most popular tourist attractions. It features the federal president’s office, the National Library (ONB), several museums and stables of the Spanish Riding School (SRS).

Austrian Times

Related articles: Vienna focus

1. Knoflacher emphasises pedestrian zones' economic effects

   » General News 2012-05-24

   A renowned traffic planner has stressed that shop owners are generally appreciating the introduction of pedestrian zones.

2. FW turnover takes off

   » Business 2012-05-24

   Austria’s biggest airport has managed to increase its profit.

3. Vienna road toll on the agenda again

   » General News 2012-05-22

   The Vienna Greens are risking a coalition-internal conflict by calling for a city toll.

more related articles tagged "Vienna focus"

Related articles: right-wing Austria

1. Pröll outpaces friends and foes in capability check

   » General News 2012-05-23

   Austria’s longest-serving governor has been identified as the most capable one in the opinion of citizens.

2. BZÖ ends Stronach speculations

   » General News 2012-05-18

   The Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) has finally dismissed the circulating rumours about teaming up with a billionaire businessman.

3. BZÖ farewell possible, poll shows

   » General News 2012-05-17

   The chances of the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) to avoid dropping out of parliament are waning, according to a new poll.

more related articles tagged "right-wing Austria"

Related articles: political scandals

1. Coalition accelerates anti-corruption ambitions

   » General News 2012-05-24

   The government is intensifying its attempts to pass a transparency package in parliament.

2. Army pays 2,000 staff for being idle

   » General News 2012-05-23

   The pressure on Social Democratic (SPÖ) Defence and Sport Minister Norbert Darabos is increasing as a new Audit Office (RH) examination indicates a waste of taxpayers’ money by the army.

3. Foul-mouthed MPs might face fines

   » General News 2012-05-23

   Fritz Neugebauer has started another attempt to introduce a system of fees for abusive parliament delegates (MPs).

more related articles tagged "political scandals"

Related articles: EU

1. Pecik defends TA engagement

   » Business 2012-05-24

   Telekom Austria (TA) investor Ronny Pecik has declared himself a team player.

2. IV demands focus on industry in crisis

   » Business 2012-05-24

   The general secretary of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) has appealed on Europe’s political leaders to strengthen the continent’s industry.

3. FW turnover takes off

   » Business 2012-05-24

   Austria’s biggest airport has managed to increase its profit.

more related articles tagged "EU"

Turks flattened by lone asylum seeker
A furious Nigerian went on the rampage at a refuge for asylum seekers in Leibnitz, attacking several people and damaging property.

Woman bites toddler
A woman who bit a two-year-old tot during a road rage row with her mother is being quizzed by police in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.

New Dany Boon comedy to be filmed in Austria
The French film star Dany Boon, one of the highest paid actors in Europe after his hit film "Welcome to the Sticks", is filming in Salzburg.

China meets Hallstatt
After a long time of speculation and anticipation the exact copy of Austrian world heritage village of Hallstatt-Dachstein in China will be unveiled, and there will be real-life Austrians present for the ceremony.

Skier in court after accident
A man from Graz is in court today accused of having inflicted negligent injury upon a five-year-old when skiing in Carinthia last year.

Two fires in Ottakring claim one life
Two fires started on Thursday evening in the Vienna district of Ottakring, one of which claimed a man’s life. Several people were evacuated as a result of the two blazes.

Cows zapped to death by lightning
Four cows were zapped to death after a lightning strike hit the barbed wire fence they were leaning on in Reith im Alpbachtal, Austria.

Wolf babies born in Schönbrunn
These cuddly Artic wolf cubs have got every right to look a bit frosty - after they emerged into the world for the first time in the middle of a 27 degree heatwave.

Cleaned Out
A Hungarian cleaning woman who stole tens of thousands of pounds worth of antique jewellery from an Austrian Countess and then sold it for "pocket money" unaware of its real value has been jailed by a court in Austria.

Great expectations for summer tourism season in Vorarlberg
The Vorarlberg tourism industry is currently riding high after a record breaking winter season, and the summer season is expected to follow that same trend.

Jobs in Austria