The fact that the Third President of the National Council, Norbert Hofer, posted a joint photo of a private meeting with former federal party chairman Heinz-Christian Strache on social media last week caused little enthusiasm among Tyrolean FPÖ leader Markus Abwerzger. “It’s not necessarily smart to publish it on Twitter, because then it makes a certain statement, and that’s not necessary,” Abwerzger said at a press conference on Wednesday.
However, he thinks it is “good and right” for Hofer to meet and exchange ideas with the long-time blue ex-frontman who has since been excluded from the party. This applies to all people who have had a dispute with each other in the past. He also practices it that way. However, the federal party has a “clear line” when it comes to Strache, which he also stands behind. There is a party exclusion, so “the issue does not arise,” said the Tyrolean FPÖ chairman with regard to a possible rapprochement. “Heinz-Christian Strache has other problems at the moment anyway. I hope everything turns out well for him,” said Abwerzger in relation to various criminal cases of the former Vice Chancellor.
“Politics is important. But friendship is even more important. We met today and had a good, human conversation. Thank you for that,” Hofer wrote about the photo in which both smile at the camera. A statement from the party leadership in the form of General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz followed promptly. He emphasized that “no changes in the relationship or attitude of the FPÖ” to Strache were associated with this. Schnedlitz described the meeting as a “pure private initiative”.
Source: Nachrichten
