Brutal attack on girls: FPÖ blames SPÖ for violence

Brutal attack on girls: FPÖ blames SPÖ for violence

Wien, Österreich - Gernot Darmann, a member of the National Council of the FPÖ, has commented on a girl's brutal attack on a girl. In his opinion, he blames the “irresponsible invitation policy” of the SPÖ under Mayor Ludwig for this incident. According to Darmann, the city government threatens the security of the population and tolerates a bigger problem that is in Vienna and for which the FPÖ calls for an urgently needed change of course in urban politics. Darmann therefore supports Dominik Nepp as a new mayor because he sees the party as the lawyer of the population who works for the victim protection issue. Darmann also shares these in the federal political framework, where the ÖVP is regarded as a security risk. He sees Herbert Kickl a solution for this security problem at the federal level.

The context of Mayor Ludwig is increasingly being made by the FPÖ. Darmann describes the attacks on freedom of the press and the negative rhetoric of media as a major challenge. In a separate statement, Dominik Nepp, the FPÖ boss in Vienna, completed the daily newspaper "The Standard" as "shit sheet" and described its reporting as part of a "left bladder". He sees this an example of a double standards and is concerned about the loss of trust in the media. This is particularly relevant in a climate in which, according to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2024, only 35 percent of the population in Austria have confidence in the media.

coalition negotiations and media policy

The coalition negotiations between the FPÖ and the ÖVP are currently shaped by intensive discussions, especially about future media policy. The FPÖ has expressed the desire to significantly convert the media landscape, in particular the public service radio ORF. Dominik Nepp criticizes the current editions and calls for cuts by at least 15 percent, as well as the abolition of the ORF fee. This fee was reformed in 2024 and the FPÖ plans to take over the financing of the ORF from the federal budget, which would increase the government's influence on media financing.

NPP also comments on the coalition negotiations and the alleged “herd premium”, which he sees as freedom of choice in childcare, as well as the demand for mandatory German courses for children who are supervised at home. He warns of April 27, which he interprets as the political move by Mayor Ludwig. This situation is particularly explosive, since Vienna has a structural deficit of 3.8 billion euros and the public expenditure continues to be criticized.

FPÖ in the focus of the public

The FPÖ sees itself as the victim of unjustified reporting and has close connections to certain media, which further undermines trust in the press. Attacks on freedom of the press have increased in recent years, as several FPÖ politicians have made clear. The media status that critical reporting on the FPÖ is a problem is a central topic in this political debate.

The FPÖ still tries to position itself as a suitable alternative for the voters by painting a positive picture for the coming years. Nepp sees it in it and expects the coalition negotiations with the ÖVP to lead to "five good years" in which the FPÖ can actually implement politics from the opposition.

These developments and the aggressive disputes about the media and urban policy indicate a polarized political landscape in Austria. The role of the media is considered crucial, with the FPÖ a significant role in forming future politics.