Admonishing words from Van der Bellen when Mikl-Leitner is sworn in

He emphasized that he could “understand” people’s concerns about the new black-blue cooperation in the state. The head of state “did not want to remain silent” in this regard.

According to Van der Bellen, the political events of the past few weeks and months in Lower Austria have sometimes led to critical reactions that went far beyond the borders of Lower Austria. Personalities from public life, from civil society, politics, the Jewish community (IKG), artists, voters and officials of the ÖVP would speak up and articulate concerns.

It is “to be noted” that Mikl-Leitner decided to work together (with the FPÖ, note), the Federal President explained in his speech, which was significantly longer than usual for swearing-in. And this decision was certainly preceded by intensive considerations of knowledge and conscience.

respect and facts

Finally, Van der Bellen also addressed “questions of conscience”. In this regard, he stated that membership of the European Union was indispensable for the peace and prosperity of Austria. Anyone who even plays with the idea of ​​an “Öxit” is “playing with our future”. EU membership should not be up for debate. Furthermore, the President reminded that fundamental rights and freedoms, human and minority rights are part of the Federal Constitution.

Respect for the institutions of democracy, for the federal constitution, for parliament, for the rule of law, the constitutional court and for the fourth power in the state, the media, must be beyond question. Facts are facts and cannot be arbitrarily replaced by “fake facts”, Van der Bellen continued. Science and research are the basis of prosperity and progress. A “question of conscience” is also that young people have “a good future”. What is a pity for children, “we must not allow”. This applies in particular to the consequences of the climate crisis.

“Accurate and Sharp View”

Last but not least, the head of state addressed National Socialism when he was sworn in, which should “never repeat itself”. “Never again!” The common “Never again!” commit to a precise and sharp look, “so that we never again get into a situation like in the 1920s and 1930s”. “Looking for the guilty, belittling people, deriding and ridiculing those who think differently, stretching boundaries, making the unspeakable sayable, always a little more, appealing to the lowest instincts,” Van der Bellen explained. And many people in Austria, but also beyond, would take a very close look at how the Lower Austrian state government is behaving here. “Whether action is taken to the best of our knowledge and belief.”

According to Van der Bellen, the people of Lower Austria would expect the governor to take a close look and do everything possible to stop anti-democratic and authoritarian tendencies that violate human dignity in good time. Of course, he also emphasized that he had come to know Mikl-Leitner over the past few years as a competent personality with integrity.

“I take it seriously in any case”

The head of state added her pledge with a handshake and signature, as she did last time, “so help me God”. “I take everything you said seriously,” she said to Van der Bellen.

Mikl-Leitner appeared at the Hofburg for her third swearing-in ceremony after 2017 and 2018, accompanied by her husband Andreas, among others. State office director Werner Trock, ÖVP club chairman Jochen Danninger and his predecessor Klaus Schneeberger and the state manager of the People’s Party of Lower Austria, Bernhard Ebner, also came to Vienna.

Schnedlitz detects authoritarian tendencies

FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz, on the other hand, locates the said authoritarian tendencies in the Federal President himself. He finds it difficult “to take note of democracy in which his green friends look through their fingers,” Schnedlitz was quoted as saying in a broadcast on Friday afternoon.

“Just because a few ‘job-concerned’ state artists and professional demonstrators are protesting against the labor agreement, we will not be dissuaded from working for the people in the country. The Federal President is also welcome to see this for himself,” said Schnedlitz.