The swearing-in of the head of state follows a strict protocol in Austria, but ceremonies, customs and traditions must not be missing either, as yesterday showed again.
The formal act was quickly completed when Alexander Van der Bellen was sworn in for his second term of office: Van spoke to the members of the Federal Assembly and numerous guests from politics, science, art, culture and church, who had also gathered in the historic meeting room or on the balconies the barking repeats the oath formula read out by the President of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka (VP). Standing ovations and applause followed – only the FP MPs, led by club boss Herbert Kickl, clapped for just a few seconds while sitting. During the course of the session, the Blues often expressed their anger at Van der Bellen’s interview from the previous evening (see details below) through ignorance, and they did not gossip when condemning the Nazi crimes.
In the inaugural speech, Van der Bellen tried different tones than the day before, and his introduction elicited many a laugh: “So yes, here I am, and you expect me to deliver a more or less amusing, traditional speech, not too somber, interspersed with things to make us optimistic about the future”he said, and: “We’ll see if I can disappoint expectations.”
He then spanned the spectrum from hope and encouragement to appeals, among other things, to upholding democracy, social cohesion (“We can’t leave anyone behind”) and the fight against climate change. He tried to convey optimism when he spoke of the difficult times and multiple crises, but concluded: “Under Leopold Figl we had nothing but hope, and it almost seems as if we now have everything but hope.” Austria would have mastered the consequences of the war better than expected. Politicians must take the concerns and fears of the population seriously, but also counteract them positively: “Let’s not let fear dictate the image of our future, but let confidence. ‘We can do it’ – these are not empty words.”
He wants to see his desire for compromise filled with life. And provided guidance by asking everyone in the room to look at their neighbors: “You may not like everyone”but we can talk to each other.
Image: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER
Ironically, Sobotka made two mistakes at the ceremonial, both times he forgot to play music, apologizing with: “And that happens to me of all people.” He wasn’t alone, after all: at “customary reception” of the Tyrolean riflemen at midday on Heldenplatz, some ministers left the event early in the drizzle and cold – a call from the master of ceremonies to return had no effect. The honor guard of the federal army had previously played.
refused to resign
At the traditional reception in the Hofburg in the afternoon, everyone was present except for Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (both VP), who were staying abroad. Van der Bellen rejected the offer to resign from the government, he had not been able to avoid the liquor of the shooters. The interest of citizens in meeting with the President was probably not quite as great due to the weather – but the army’s goulash serving on Heroes’ Square also delighted some tourists.
Source: Nachrichten
