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From /apa, October 26, 2024, 12:39 p.m
Photo: (APA/BKA/FLORIAN SCHROETTER)
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Photo: (APA/BKA/FLORIAN SCHROETTER)
November 9th is “one of the most serious days of remembrance we have,” emphasized Nehammer, and Van der Bellen “fully” agreed.
Over 1,000 recruits, including 27 women, were ceremoniously sworn in at Heldenplatz in Vienna on the national holiday. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) called for the defense of “defensive democracy” and once again strongly condemned a demonstration planned for November 9th by opponents of a coalition without the FPÖ. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen joined the criticism. The organizers announced a postponement of the rally on Saturday afternoon.
Image: (APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)
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Image: (APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)
“Deeply outraged by large demonstration”
The soldiers’ oath to the constitution is of great importance, Nehammer pointed out, as democracy is being put under pressure, there is war in Europe and disinformation campaigns are intended to cause destabilization and unrest. “Defensive democracy” also means serving a freedom-loving country that has learned from its history. He was therefore “deeply outraged” that a group wanted to use November 9th for a large demonstration under the motto “Get ready.”
November 9th is “one of the most serious days of remembrance we have,” emphasized Nehammer. He recalled the National Socialist pogroms in November 1938, when Jews were “humiliated, desecrated and murdered.” There were people who resisted and allies who liberated Austria. It is important to defend a robust democracy, so we have to set an example. Nehammer explained that he therefore expects “all political parties” to distance themselves from the demonstration that day.
Demo should be postponed
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen emphasized in his speech that he “fully shares” Nehammer’s opinion on the demonstration, which is scheduled to take place “on November 9th of all days.” The “Fair Thinking” and “Human Family” initiatives, which had called for the demo, then announced on Saturday that they would postpone it until the end of November. She announced on various channels that the event would be postponed “due to expected riots”.
The head of state, who is also commander in chief, also emphasized that an efficient federal army is an indispensable part of the necessary state resilience. That’s why a corresponding budget for the army is necessary, and he is confident that Parliament will continue to grant one, said Van der Bellen.
Image: (APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)
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Image: (APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)
Great importance of neutrality
Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) emphasized the “great importance” of neutrality, especially in times of crisis like these. Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) emphasized that in recent years people have sometimes forgotten that it is also about being able to defend neutrality by all means. “Thanks to your budgetary resources,” the army is now moving forward again, and modern equipment has been purchased – “not for its own sake,” explained the minister, but in order to be able to protect and defend the population and to help.
Image: (APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)
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Image: (APA/BUNDESHEER/PETER LECHNER)
The Federal Army presented itself again this year with an information and performance show. The “Lion” helicopter and the “Skyranger” air defense system can be seen.
The celebrations for the national holiday began with the traditional laying of wreaths in the consecration room in the outer castle gate by the Federal President and the Federal Government.
Picture gallery: National Day: Impressions from Heldenplatz
National holiday (Photo: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK) Bild 1/25
View gallery
Demand for government participation
Meanwhile, FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl and SPÖ leader Andreas Babler have addressed the population in videos. Both used the usual words of praise for the republic’s neutrality and achievements to support their parties’ demand for government participation. In his speech, Kickl drew parallels between Austria’s path to freedom and sovereignty – which was “long and rocky, but ultimately successful” – with his FPÖ’s path to government.
The “path to political renewal, with which the people will again be at the center of all political action,” may be “delayed, but it cannot be stopped or even prevented,” said the FPÖ leader in his almost ten-minute speech. He once again accused the other parties of not changing their minds as “electoral losers” and of not following the will of the voters “through sometimes adventurous contortions”. In view of the major challenges – “from illegal mass immigration to rising prices to attacks on our neutrality and sovereignty and the dramatic economic situation” – Austria needs a stable political leadership that is inspired by the will to work together in close solidarity with the population to master. “We are ready for this and that is why our hand remains outstretched for negotiations,” said Kickl.
“Awakening, progress and security”
SPÖ leader Babler, who has been holding exploratory talks with the ÖVP for a possible coalition since Friday, also emphasized once again the need for his party to participate in government in his much shorter video message. In view of the major challenges – from health care, inflation, the economy to children’s rights – that Austria is facing, things must continue, “but not as before,” said Babler in the video published on Facebook on Saturday. For him and the SPÖ, “continue” means departure, progress and security as well as securing and expanding rights for people. This will make the social democrats “take responsibility for this republic”.
Kickl and Babler once again found words of praise for the neutrality on the national holiday. According to a broadcast, the SPÖ leader described neutrality as a “future project that makes it possible for us to pursue active foreign policy,” said Babler, according to a broadcast. The SPÖ is “the guarantor of an active policy of neutrality.” The FPÖ leader saw it differently. In his remarks about the great value of perpetual neutrality, he referred, among other things, to the “active neutrality politician” Bruno Kreisky (SPÖ), but accused the SPÖ, like the other parties, of “talking to the warmongers, weapons with ours “Let tax money co-finance it and drag our Austria into the economic war.”
The article discusses the political landscape in Austria, particularly in light of the recent national holiday celebrations. It focuses on the speeches made by FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl and SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, both of whom emphasized the significance of government participation for their respective parties.
Kickl praised Austria’s neutrality and sovereignty, drawing parallels between the nation’s historical journey and the FPÖ’s quest for government influence. He asserted that despite delays, a political renewal remains inevitable, urging other parties to heed the will of the voters instead of clinging to outdated positions. He also referenced pressing issues such as mass immigration, rising prices, and the need for stable political leadership.
On the other hand, Babler from the SPÖ emphasized the need for his party’s involvement in the government as a means to tackle major challenges such as healthcare, inflation, and economic problems. He proposed a departure from past strategies, aiming for progress and security while protecting citizens’ rights. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to Austria’s neutrality, although they had varying interpretations of how it should be upheld.
The text suggests a significant political discourse about governance in Austria, highlighting the roles of these two leaders as they seek to shape their parties’ futures and the country’s political direction.
Ticularly focusing on the statements made by political leaders Herbert Kickl of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and Andreas Babler of the Social Democrats (SPÖ).
In a nearly ten-minute speech, Kickl emphasized the need for political renewal in Austria, asserting that the focus of political action must be returned to the people. He criticized other parties for their reluctance to adapt and respond to the electorate’s desires, stating that Austria requires stable leadership to tackle pressing issues such as illegal immigration, rising costs, and economic challenges. He expressed the FPÖ’s willingness to engage in negotiations to collaborate towards solutions.
Conversely, SPÖ leader Babler, who has recently been exploring coalition possibilities with the People’s Party (ÖVP), reiterated the importance of his party’s involvement in governance. He underlined the necessity for progress and enhancement of rights amid various challenges including health care, inflation, and children’s rights. Babler positioned the SPÖ as a “guarantor of an active policy of neutrality,” and countered Kickl’s critique of his party regarding foreign policy, asserting that the SPÖ champions a proactive approach to neutrality.
Both leaders expressed their respect for Austria’s traditional neutrality, albeit from differing perspectives regarding how this neutrality should be upheld and acted upon in contemporary geopolitical contexts.
