In the run-up to the local council elections taking place on January 30 in Waidhofen ad Ybbs, a spokesman for FPÖ top candidate Josef Gschwandegger caused a stir. As part of a word rap in the “Bezirksblätter” the local politician originally stated that the last book he had read was Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf”. Gschwandegger initially felt misquoted, but then admitted to having read the pamphlet “a long time ago”.
“I generally read very little”
As part of the “Bezirksblätter” wordrap, the top candidates of the parties running on January 30 were asked about their leisure activities and favorite songs, among other things. According to the media report, Gschwandegger replied in the “Read” category: “The last book I read was ‘Mein Kampf’.” When asked again by the district newspapers, the FPÖ politician said on Tuesday: “I read ‘Mein Kampf’ a long time ago. I generally read little, maybe one book a year.”
The FPÖ Lower Austria initially did not comment on Gschwandegger’s statements on Tuesday afternoon. When asked, Bernhard Ebner, state manager of the ÖVP Lower Austria, spoke up. “When it comes to rejecting National Socialism, there is consensus among all political parties in our country. There can therefore only be one consequence: the immediate resignation of Josef Gschwandegger as the top candidate of the FPÖ Waidhofen ad Ybbs.”
Reading not punishable
Wolfgang Kocevar, the state manager of the SPÖ Lower Austria, made a similar statement. He also came forward with a request for his resignation. “To explain that ‘Mein Kampf’ was the last book you read is provocatively stupid. In our country there is a consensus that always applies across party lines: No to National Socialism, it must never be downplayed,” said one written statement recorded.
Legal circles said that reading “Mein Kampf” in itself was not punishable. There is, however, the possibility that a public commitment to reading the pamphlet could have propagandistic value. The responsible public prosecutor’s office in St. Pölten was informed on request that the case was not currently based on any proceedings.
Source: Nachrichten
