Celebrities against the right

“Aggression and agitation – in Austria too”

Celebrities such as actresses Veronika Altenberger (2nd from left), Mavie Hörbiger (right next to former minister Rudi Anschober) and Heinz Mayer (center) are fighting against FPÖ participation in government.(Bild: SEPA.Media KG | Isabelle Ouvrard | www.sepa.media.at)

100 celebrities from the arts, culture, science and politics want written confirmation from candidates by September 13 that they do not support FPÖ participation in government.

National elections are in three weeks' time. The FPÖ is still ahead in all polls. It is followed by the ÖVP, with the SPÖ currently lagging behind. This is causing worry lines for many. And alarm. On Wednesday, more than 100 celebrities from the arts, science and politics sent a letter to 1500 candidates for the National Council elections on September 29.

They are asked to make "A promise for the Republic" that they will not support a federal government with FPÖ participation as members of the National Council (if elected). The closing date for entries is September 13.

From Altenberger to Zielinski
The initiator is film producer Gabriela Bacher. When she returned to Europe from the USA some time ago, "shaken by Trump", she saw "that it's not much different here. You experience aggression and agitation. Even in Austria." The initiative is therefore issuing an urgent warning against the right.

On board are cultural figures such as Klaus Maria Brandauer, David Schalko, Hubert von Goisern, Robert Menasse and actresses Mavie Hörbiger and Verena Altenberger. Constitution professor Heinz Mayer, IKG President Oskar Deutsch and celebrities from the world of politics such as Heinrich Neisser, Ferry Maier, Franz Fischler, Othmar Karas (all ÖVP), Hannes Swoboda (SPÖ), Hans Peter Haselsteiner (liberal investor), former Health Minister Rudi Anschober (Greens) and oncologist Christoph Zielinsksi are also on board. 

"Some parties don't live from consensus, but from chaos"
 They state that the Blue Party's participation in government would look different this time than before. They fear a dismantling of the rule of law and a rigorous restructuring of the republic along the lines of Orban's Hungary. Actress Verena Altenberger: "Some parties like the FPÖ don't thrive on consensus, but on chaos. You have to keep them away." 78-year-old lawyer Mayer: "I was able to witness Austria's breathtaking success story over many decades. With an FPÖ at the helm, the country could no longer be the way I know it."