27. 08. 10. - 12:00

Strache is 'stupid', says Häupl

Vienna Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl has once more caused controversy by calling his biggest political opponent a "stupid person".

Asked what he thought of Freedom Party (FPÖ) boss Heinz-Christian Strache, Häupl said today (Fri) he would like to use a famous quote by late SPÖ Chancellor Bruno Kreisky: "He is a really stupid person."

Häupl, mayor of the capital since 1994, irritated Strache supporters but also fellow SPÖ members earlier this year by branding the right-winger a "loser". Some SPÖ decision-makers have expressed concerns such attacks will only give Strache an extra boost in his attempt to break the Vienna SPÖ's absolute majority.

The FPÖ garnered 14.8 per cent in the 2005 Vienna election, and the latest polls show that it has chances to improve significantly in the 10 October vote.

The Social Democrats are expected to approach the People’s Party (ÖVP) for coalition talks if they lose their city parliamentary majority won five years ago (49.1 per cent).

But Häupl stressed today: "We are working hard to avoid being forced to think about possible coalition constellations."

Analysts have pointed out that the SPÖ is in a difficult position since the past has shown that potential supporters of dominating parties tend to stay away from the voting booths over expectations of certain victory.

The SPÖ is tipped to point out Vienna’s high living quality standard – the city came out on top in various international studies – in its campaign.

Häupl has promised to focus on content and information instead of populist slogans that the FPÖ has focused on.

FPÖ strategists recently presented posters calling for "More Courage for our ‘Viennese Blood’ – Too much of the other doesn’t do any good for anyone." (Mehr Mut für unser 'Wiener Blut' - Zu viel Fremdes tut niemandem gut).

The campaign poster series has been branded as "racist" by political opponents and NGOs – and tempted SPÖ members whose families originate from foreign countries to give blood.

Strache also infuriated left-wing politicians by speaking out against additional mosques in Vienna.

His announcement followed an appeal for more "visible" mosques with minarets by Anas Schakfeh, president of the Austrian Islamic Denomination (IGGiÖ).

Many members of the country’s Islamic community – there are around half a million Muslims in Austria – criticised Syrian-born Schakfeh amid fears of a worsening of the political and social climate in the country. Newspaper columnists meanwhile suggested the FPÖ’s Vienna department must be delighted about the statement as it could make many potential backers support the party in the October ballot.

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