Political debate about the cross

Competition in coalition: who holds tradition higher?

The crucifix in every school class - this is causing disgruntlement in Lower Austria's state coalition.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Kzenon – stock.adobe.com Hanasaki – stock.adobe.com)

Christian values are important to many people, especially during the Advent season. In politics, the parties therefore like to present themselves as guardians of the faith tradition - once again it's about the cross in the classroom, this time in Lower Austria. 

When St. Martin has to make way for the "moon bear" in kindergartens and crosses are supposed to be virtually "invisible" in hospital patient rooms, this shakes the foundations of the Christian West - at least between Enns and Leitha, and for the Freedom Party.

Alexander Murlasits (right) and Andreas Arthur Spanring invoke the Christian roots of the FPÖ.

(Bild: FPÖ NÖ)

FPÖ against the banishment of traditions
The Blue Party is now countering: "We are putting our traditions back in a positive light. Because our Christian roots unite us," says regional party secretary Alexander Murlasits, setting out the FPÖ line. And party managing director Andreas Arthur Spanring makes it clear: "We will not allow these traditions to be increasingly banned from the public sphere."

Christmas carols and the crucifix
The FPÖ in Lower Austria is now launching two initiatives to this end: Firstly, it has compiled local Christmas carols in a booklet, and secondly, it wants to stipulate in Lower Austria's compulsory school law that a cross must hang in every school class.

We stand up for the Christian values that underpin our society like no other party. That is why Christian symbolism in public spaces is a major concern for us.

Matthias Zauner, Landesgeschäftsführer der ÖVP

Bild: VPNÖ

ÖVP reacts with a huff
The latter irritates the coalition partner. "This was not agreed with us. It therefore seems reasonable to assume that this is just a political show," grumbles ÖVP manager Matthias Zauner. However, he hastens to assure that "this idea is already being examined anyway".

Johanna Mikl-Leitner took up the cudgels for the cross in schools under the Landhaus Christmas tree.

(Bild: NLK Burchhart)

"Don't hide your Christian roots!"
And Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner took up the cudgels for the cross during the illumination of the Christmas tree in the government district, which incidentally comes from Altendorf in the district of Neunkirchen this time: "The cross is and will remain in our schools, kindergartens and hospitals. Because we don't hide our Christian roots."

Why the wooden crosses in the hospitals are being replaced by barely visible glass ones, however, remains unexplained ...