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

Today

• Vienna - VESCC English Catholic Mass
• Vienna - Unknown Underground
• Vienna- January and February at the Austrian Film Museum
• Vienna - Art by Petronilla Hohenwarter.
• STOMP at the MuseumsQuartier

© europics.at

23. 06. 09. - 16:00

• more Panorama news
• RSS Feed Panorama

23. 06. 09. - 16:00

Austria's 'ruling' newspaper claims next victim: the Chancellor

Analysis by Thomas Hochwarter

"A new way of making politics. A brand new start. Together instead of against each other."

Those slogans, announced by Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann after being sworn in on 2 December of last year, still ring in the ears of Austrians. But now, just 200 days on, it seems Faymann is following his predecessor Alfred Gusenbauer to becoming just a footnote in Austria’s post-war history – after doing what some have dubbed sleeping with the devil.

Faymann decided to play a game which did not appear to be that risky at the start. He managed to win the approval of the country’s biggest newspaper, the conservative tabloid Kronen Zeitung.

The Kronen Zeitung’s longstanding publisher Hans Dichand, 88, made no secret of his affection for the SPÖ’s "new star" – who admitted calling Dichand, with whom he spent holidays in the past, "Uncle Hans" in private. Dichand even had to dismiss rumours he might be Faymann’s biological father – but added he would be proud of a son like Faymann.

The game plan worked well – massive positive coverage ensured the SPÖ came out first, even if there had been bitter losses. The "Krone", as the paper is nicknamed, continued to support the party. But it stopped doing so ahead of the 7 June European Parliament (EP) elections when they backed independent runner Hans-Peter Martin.

The former SPÖ front runner was given one to two pages in the paper for free everyday for a column based on his latest EU-critical policies. The SPÖ’s front runner Hannes Swoboda, allegedly not on good terms with Faymann, was however described as "stiff party robot" by the massively influential paper.

Internal party critics even accused Faymann of making a deal with the EU-critical paper which ensured contamination of the strong support as soon as the EP elections were out the way. Many political analysts thought he had really done so after a reader letter by Faymann and former SPÖ Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer was one of the main reasons behind the ÖVP’s decision to quit cooperation in June of last year.

In the letter published in – and praised by – the paper, the pair announced a dramatic U-turn in the party’s EU politics to a much more critical approach.

Party veterans were shocked by the populist move since the SPÖ was, in close cooperation with the ÖVP, responsible for convincing sceptic Austrians of the EU’s benefits. In 1994, two thirds voted in favour of Austria joining the EU – and the country became a member on 1 January 1995. At the time the "Krone" was a supporter of the EU bid, but soon realised they would be better off criticising the "waves of immigrants" and the alleged subsequent lack of self-determination as a new EU member.

Faymann’s recent "deal" with the newspaper seemed to be the right move for him at first. But things have changed over the past five months. The SPÖ has suffered losses in every election – provincial elections, students union, labour chamber – they have run in since the general election of September 2008.

Now the clouds above Faymann are gathering after "Krone" boss Dichand sensationally announced in an interview as a supplement in his own newspaper his open support for ÖVP Vice Chancellor Josef Pröll to become a future chancellor and backed his uncle and ÖVP Lower Austria boss Erwin Pröll to run for president next year.

Faymann critics say this U-turn has confirmed their fears, while Faymann has only commented on the new development by saying: "You will never catch me saying a bad word about the Kronen Zeitung or Hans Dichand."

Now Faymann, once hailed as the party’s key figure in their bid to "make politics in a new way", suddenly looks broken and unconvincing.

Austria is not governed by a newspaper, as some international observers claim. But if the most influential daily in a country makes use of its power in such a ruthless – and clever – way as the "Krone" does, hardly anyone can argue its effects on the political landscape are non-existent. And even if the paper were more moderate, with almost three million readers a day, there is no doubt about its overwhelming influence.

Austrian Times

Related articles: comments

1. An encounter with Vienna police

   » Panorama 2010-05-05

   Comment by Austrian Times reader Lionel Di Giacomo

2. Fasching festival's firework of fun turns into a damp squib

   » Panorama 2010-02-15

   Anybody looking to have a good time with children in Austria would be well advised to avoid anything involving this organisation www.wien.kinderfreunde.at.

3. FPÖ candidate will boost Fischer bid

   » Panorama 2010-01-19

   President Heinz Fischer’s bid for a second term in office will benefit if the Freedom Party (FPÖ) decides to nominate a candidate.

more related articles tagged "comments"

Foglar infuriated by 'tactical games'
Austrian Trade Union (ÖGB) President Erich Foglar has accused the vice chancellor of "playing games".

Le Carré novel hits the big screen
A new espionage film is now on at the Burgkino Vienna where all movies are screened in their original versions.

Kadyrov welcomes Austrian right-wingers
A delegation of representatives of a rightist Austrian party met with Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, it has emerged.

Gourmet evenings at Linsberg Asia
Less than an hour away from Vienna is the Linsberg Asia - four star hotel, spa and culinary hotspot. For several years now the Linsberg restaurant has been producing award-winning food, receiving the ultimate accolade in the most recent Gault Millau when its lamb was described simply as melt in the mouth.

Felderer 'disappointed' as government eyes up tax hikes
A leading economist has criticised the government for making tax hikes an essential part of its upcoming savings package.

Unionists criticise hotels over mini-jobbers
Labour union leaders are alarmed as the number of tourism sector mini-jobbers is climbing.

Satek snatches Zielpunkt
A German businessman has taken over Zielpunkt.

Europe's highest brewery in Austria
Europe’s highest brewery has opened in Austria. The "Asitz Bräu" which opened for business on 17 December last year, is located at 1,760 metres and is run by the Altenberger family, owners of four star hotel "Der Krallerhof" in Leogang.

Austria registers decrease of business bankruptcies
The number of Austrian business bankruptcies is in decline despite increasingly difficult economic circumstances in Europe.

Austria registers decrease of business bankruptcies
The number of Austrian business bankruptcies is in decline despite increasingly difficult economic circumstances in Europe.