Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
2
The rise of the far-right, populist Since modern Austrian politics keep
politicians, spin and pragmatism, on being associated with the
loss of party identity, distorted recently deceased Mr Joerg Haider,
perceptions, third way, it is only fair for me to translate an
irresponsible banks, human rights, essay about him by the competent
hype and media, celebrity culture, and acclaimed writer Werner
failure and successes and Schneyder. It was an honour to
international scrutiny. Austria may translate a piece of work by him.
be a small country in the middle of
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
3
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
4
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
5
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
6
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
7
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
8
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
9
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
10
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
11
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
12
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
13
assess their principles again. too. They did not examine claims
by the Freedom Party closely. The
These principles were lost. In an Haider Poster “He did not lie to
overall prosperous country, the you” (Er hat Euch nicht belogen)
Social-Democrats chronically was left standing without
overlooked those who were not argumentation. Instead of replying
doing well, those who felt “Because he never told the truth”,
miserable. And also: the leaders the Reds – in full seriousness -
were always gob-smacked if placated the slogan: “The Right
someone reminded them of the Path into the 21st Century” (Der
widening social gap, and possibly richtige Weg ins 21st Jahrhundert).
also the widening gender gap. That path was not really possible to
They referred you to their party miss. Even an idiot could find it.
manifesto and could not
comprehend that a party manifesto Nowadays, party sympathisers feel
is only viable if its promises are a mixture of grief about their fate
fulfilled. Haider was allowed to as an opposition party and the
effortlessly refer to the shortfalls of desire of a forced regeneration, and
the left and to assert that he had a the pleasure of active theoretical
more social perspective. That was and demagogic talent, combined
very embarrassing. with hope for argumentative
awareness against Haider.
The Social-Democrats election
campaign itself was embarrassing
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
14
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
15
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
16
A populist can only be defeated by Where does this man come from?
his own contradictions. Citizens How did he become what he is? I
must be told this constantly that re-iterate: it is an unreasonable
Haider already suggests every expectation to tell the story once
opinion, every solution and their again but we need the picture.
exact opposites. It is required from
every candidate to find their own It all started in Upper Austria, in a
polemic talents. That talent had lower-class family who has Nazi-
been in short supply for a long sympathies. Young Jörgl grew up
time. Obviously, this has changed with parents who felt “wronged”
now. (unrecht) after the end of World War
At the first press conference by the 2. Naturally, this had an influence
side of Chancellor Schüssel, the on him. They sent the talented fella
proudly smiling E.U. opponent to study and he achieved
Haider waved the European flag in something academically. However,
front of the cameras. At the same it felt like too much work to pursue
time, he formally requested a a career in academia – the Nobel
referendum against the E.U. Prize was unreachable. Politics
enlargement. However, if he were offered more promises for the
to travel to Hungary in the near limelight. He looked around and he
future, one can be sure that he found the FPO (Austrian Freedom
would distribute little E.U. Flags to Party). Haider saw a chance with
the children and the needy. liberal-democrat wing of the party,
however, there was no chance of
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
17
leadership from there, neither for meteoric rise of Jörg Haider had
the party nor for himself. He had to begun.
become the prime candidate, that
was his goal: “primus inter pares” For the rise, he used a talent, or,
(first amongst equals) and soon better said, the desire to have one.
amongst parasites – and this is That is because Jörg Haider once
exactly what happened. He wanted to be an actor. This
managed to change to the right- explains a lot. The desire – nay: the
wing of the party from the starting lust – for the limelight, for the
block. In the meantime, he was applause and to be loved by the
operating from Carinthia (Kärnten) public takes one along strange
– the 26-year old Upper Austrian paths. One may conclude that
had mutated into a pure breed politics came to him as a
Carinthian with roots dating back compensation – a bit like it came
from twelve generations (!). He also as a compensation for another
met a political headmistress, a compatriot in German-culture
classical Nazi-Dame, an old BDM history. Jörg Haider became the
(=Bund Deutscher Mädel = Nazi girl actor of politics, indeed in a
youth group) and she was really manner that would not have taken
called Kriemhild. Haider was taught him beyond a third-rate tour, had
how to represent the homeland he been in the theatre profession.
(Heimat). At the FPO Party He hams it up, and what surprises
conference, he succeeded in a me is that nobody notices. Perhaps
carefully planned putsch. The it's because there is an over-supply
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
18
him as the leader of the opposition: depict it. When it is about such big
a barking dog, a provocative voice, things like building a new hospital
a story provider, a vehicle for the wing or dealing with the ownership
publisher. Against the advice of the of the Seebühne (a lakeside venue
mighty and all-mighty Krone, the for concerts and events) etc etc etc,
FPO became involved in the Haider stands there, announces a
government. There had to be decision, explains the reasons and
consequences. The retirement of lets people celebrate him for his
“Staberl” who helped shape decision and the reasons. Two
opinions was possibly one of the weeks later, there he stands again,
consequences. From his arthritic revokes everything and demands to
and remarkable perspective, Staberl be celebrated for that. He
stubbornly and faithfully supported understands the federal region as
the youthfulness of Haider – and an stage. He forces a dense
his devotion, psychologically- calendar of events just to stand
speaking, moved from lovey-dovey outside every entrance to shake
tenderness to political old- hands. It is impossible to avoid
queerness (Alterschwulität). Haider the omnipresent greeting-
man: no entry without seeing him.
What should also stop Haider is his In his buzz for events, Haider leaves
performance as regional father all the guidelines at the door and
(Landesvater), as a paternal that led to the withdrawal of
country-lad – and that performance Andreas Mölzer, who had been
is lamentable. One should refuse to cultural adviser and main party
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
20
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
22
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
23
Nazis used the Social Democratic and militants feel comfortable with
cover to escape justifying for their some conservative concessions,
crimes. The most prominent figure others see a grand coalition as a
was Dr Gross who did experiments forced marriage. Having said that,
on mentally ill children at the the success or failure of a grand
Spiegelgrund Hospital during the coalition depends on the
war. Viktor Klima ruled out any personalities in charge. In 1999, a
possibility of Social-Democrat social-democrat/conservative
coalition with the far-right Freedom coalition was not possible because
Party, and trained political historian the conservative candidate
Alfred Gusenbauer discussed his Wolfgang Schuessel ruled out
party's legacy. Their integrity has working with Viktor Klima. The
restored trust amongst the more biggest problem for the Social-
idealistic party supporters. The Democrats, apart from the BAWAG,
current Austrian president Heinz denationalisations and the current
Fischer who served under Kreisky financial crisis that is affecting the
leaves with the legacy that he global economy is whether to rule
tacitely supported Kreisky's views alone in a minority government
as he says, he doesn't like (they usually end up around
antagonising people. between 34 and 45%) or make
Another legacy is the Social- concessions to the Conservatives.
Democrat-Conservative coalition Currently, they are in a coalition
that ruled the country for many with the Conservatives.
years. While many party members
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
25
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
27
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
28
grown into the now third biggest nor the Conservatives nor the Social
Austrian party with 21 seats in the Democrats were prepared to enter
parliament. They are one of the a coalition with either far-right
biggest green party in Europe. party.
Strache's party netted 34 seats and
The Freedom Party split in 2006 his party faces the same situation
into two parties: The Alliance for as the Future for Austria. In the
Austria's Future led by Haider and wake of Haider's death, a re-
the new Freedom Party led by Karl unification between the two far-
Heinz Strache. The Alliance for right parties was expected but this
Austria's future features people who never happened. Strache's party
have been involved with seems to attract protest voters who
Schuessel's government: Herbert are disillusioned with the Social-
Haupt former Social Secretary, Peter Democrats
Westenthaler who was spokesman,
Ursula Haubner who is Haider's The lesson that we can learn from
sister. It is believed that the party this aspect of Austrian politics is
wooed floating voters away from that parties need to identify what
the Conservatives. They gained 21 they stand for, find the candidates
seats at the last election. Haider to win the election and have
saw the 2006 election as another enough diplomacy to collaborate
stab at him becoming chancellor in with partners of choice and not lose
a coalition with the new Freedom touch with their base and the
Party, however, neither the Greens,
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
29
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
30
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
31
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
32
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
33
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
34
unite a group of people who feel and their families have been voting
they are part of the same for social-democratic or socialist
communities. Certain ideas from the parties, whereas more traditional-
the right-wing camp are anchored minded families voted for
in nationalism. Other nations have conservatives. The lowering of the
patriotic ideas, and by that they voting age brought younger voters.
mean that they want to preserve
the culture within their own country The notion that democracy is
and to protect their border – associated with the respect of
however a patriot accept the idea human rights came forth after the
of a multicultural state. Many Second World War. The NSDAP in
traditional Austrians, especially the Germany was democratically
Conservatives are patriotic, because elected in 1933 and not only took
of the older history of their country the country into a World War, but
as a multilingual state. also committed genocide against a
minority and violently silenced the
Only in the late 19th C/ early 20th opposition. The consensus came
century was it possible for the that this was not allowed to happen
lower classes and women to have a again, therefore when the Universal
say in politics. This means that a Declaration of Human Rights
groups of voters became available. declared the intrinsic rights of
Traditionally, trade-union members individuals to equal rights and
and many city working class freedom, the ideas became
people, social housing tennants enshrined in most democracies. In
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
35
fact, a few countries had a bill of power, the diplomatic crisis in 2000
right in one form or another in their caused by the controversial choice
justice system or constitution. The of coalition could be averted. The
Universal Declaration of Human president Thomas Klestil was able
Rights has inspired countries to to exercise his power to veto
adapt their legislations to the against some Freedom Party
minimum standards expressed by members to become government
the document. A Declaration has no ministers and legislations had to
legal value but by aknowledging it, conform to the constitution.
there is a form of consensus by the
states. In Austria, Haider was effectively
barred from getting into
In Europe, there is a document government and his party had to
called The European Convention of solemnly acknowledge to respect
Human Rights (1950, plus five the constitution, and express the
protocols), it is a treaty that has desire to be at the service of all the
now been ratified by most voters, deal with the European
European states and therefore is Union and with other countries at
part of national legislation. diplomatic level. The legislation
had to conform to the constitution.
Because Austria ratified the The Conservative Home Secretary
European Convention of Human Mr Ernst Strasser was the only
Rights and has a constitution that cabinet minister who did not
provides checks and balances of condemn the Thursday
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
36
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
37
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
38
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
39
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
40
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
41
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
42
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
43
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
44
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
45
programme, no ideologies except the ballot box and leave the party
the idea of staying at home when of Abstentionism. The biggest
it's election time. The League of danger for democracy is apathy
Abstentionists has therefore never and disinformation. I started this
been in power and never will be. article with a book that I bought in
How frustrating is that. We saw the 2002 when I lived in Vienna, now I
frustration of the Social-Democratic am in the UK and therefore shall
party that came first yet did not get conclude with a quote I saw at the
to rule the country. Eight years later British Library that commemorates
they did, The League of their current exhibition about
Abstentionists cannot console itself human rights:"People died for the
with the hope of ever having a say right to vote, so why do more
in how the country is run. young people vote during X-factor
than the General Election". From
Generations before us strived for Taking Liberties – The Struggle for
the right to participate in the Britain's Freedom and Rights. 2008
political affairs of the country. If we
value democracy, human rights, our
voting rights and want to go on
living in democracies voting for our
traditional parties – Conservatives,
Social democrats, Greens, Liberals
etc etc – then we need to stop
gazing at stars and starlets, go to
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
46
Dominique Hoffman –
lives in Belfast.
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections
47
Dominique Hoffman – Werner Schneyder's Fullfilling my duty /Lessons to be learnt from the 1999 Austrian Elections