TIROLER TAGESZEITUNG, editorial: “In the shadow of the former star” by Karin Leitner

2023-09-10 20:00:30

Edition from Monday, September 11, 2023

Innsbruck (OTS) – Chancellor and party chairman Karl Nehammer fails to emancipate himself from Sebastian Kurz. Other high-ranking ÖVP representatives such as Tyrolean Governor Anton Mattle have done this.

He is back where he loved to be: in the spotlight. Sebastian Kurz is once again the subject of two films about him. One work is a critical one, the other – surprisingly announced by the makers and in cinemas two weeks beforehand – is a portrait in the spirit of the ex-chancellor.

This is fueling speculation about the former ÖVP star’s comeback to politics. He asserts that he does not want to return to this profession, although he adds “currently”. If you take the interest in the benevolent cinematic version of Kurz’s political career as a benchmark, then his appeal is gone. But there are still many who consider him to have integrity despite the not new but frightening style revealed via chat – and still think that it is not morality but criminal law that is the benchmark for politicians.

Well-known ÖVP politicians, including those who considered Kurz’s right to intervene in the party to be good, do not long for a Kurz revival. Vorarlberg State Governor Markus Wallner says this way of coming to terms with the past can be understood, “but it is his business”. His Upper Austrian counterpart Thomas Stelzer, a former Kurz cheerer, notes: There is “no need” for him to return. We have a very successful chancellor and party chairman – Karl Nehammer.” The same thing can also be heard from Tyrol’s state leader Anton Mattle: Kurz’s political time is over.

Since taking office, Nehammer has not managed to distance himself from his former political companion. There was no closure. The internal review of the Kurz era is still pending. This means that the smell of corruption continues to cling to the party.

Nehammer even went to the celebration after the short film premiere; he posed with his predecessor as head of government. It’s probably about keeping Kurz fans for the ÖVP. And to prevent a potential “List Short” that would harm the ÖVP in the upcoming National Council elections.

But where does the fear come from? Going into an election campaign with an accused or even convicted Kurz would probably not be an asset for the People’s Party – even if he would style himself as a martyr either way. A narcissistic person like Kurz who is used to winning would not run with a list that might get him into parliament but not back into the chancellery. Nehammer should strive to gain stature as ÖVP leader and chancellor – instead of just having Kurz at his side as a stone guest.