Nazi symbolism

FPÖ defends itself against Nazi poster with Kickl

Such posters can currently be seen all over Graz.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Scheriau, Traby, zVg)

The election campaign is now apparently getting really dirty: several posters with Nazi symbolism are hanging in Graz, "advertising" for Herbert Kickl and the FPÖ. The Freedom Party is outraged and speaks of a manipulated campaign. The ÖVP is also affected.

The poster is displayed at several streetcar stops in Graz. The black and white picture from the dark ages shows children raising their hands in a "Hitler salute". Above it is a poster with the words "Remigration now!", flanked by two swastikas, only half of which can be seen, but which are clearly recognizable as such.

Such posters can currently be seen all over Graz.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Scheriau, Traby, zVg)

The FPÖ is furious about this poster.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Jakob Traby)

Below it, the FPÖ subject reads: "No new ideas needed - Kickl, your choice". The Freedom Party logo can also be seen. Another poster reads "One people, one chancellor". Yet another motif shows the likenesses of Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Engelbert Dollfuß, Chancellor in the Austrofascist corporative state, and the cross of the Kruck. "We still do fascism ourselves", it reads. Apparently, this is intended to simulate real FPÖ and ÖVP election posters. A poster subject is also directed against the NEOS.

This poster with Nehammer and Dollfuß hangs in front of the Graz Opera House.

(Bild: privat)

FPÖ calls in a lawyer
The Freedom Party brusquely denies any connection with this campaign: "This is obviously a large-scale, manipulated campaign against the FPÖ," the Styrian party headquarters said in response to an inquiry from the "Krone" newspaper. "The FPÖ Styria strongly condemns the anti-democratic and inflammatory campaign, which presumably originates from left-wing extremist circles," clarifies Styrian party secretary Stefan Hermann. "This campaign also shows how nervous certain left-wing circles are likely to be and that they will not even shy away from criminal behavior in order to harm the FPÖ."

The ÖVP is also appalled: "We firmly reject such an unsavory form of political confrontation," says regional managing director Detlev Eisel-Eiselsberg. He hopes that the perpetrators will be investigated quickly and brought to justice. "We continue to advocate an orderly political discourse and a style that we cultivate with all parties in Styria."

"Swap posters immediately"
The advertising company Ankünder, whose poster stands were used for this campaign, is equally appalled: "These posters were put up illegally with a high level of criminal energy. We will of course replace them immediately," says Managing Director Bernd Schönegger. "We always check all incoming posters before they are displayed in accordance with the Convention on Human Rights and all advertising regulations. We did not put up these posters." 

Complaint filed
All available means will now be used to track down the perpetrators. "We will also analyze the cameras and then assert criminal and property law claims," continued Schönegger. "We will report this act to the police immediately."

Election posters graffitied in Innsbruck
Election posters have also caused a stir elsewhere recently, for example in Innsbruck, where vandals roamed the city at the weekend and graffitied numerous posters belonging to various parties.