ÖVP election campaign: Provocative slogans shock the Viennese political landscape!

ÖVP election campaign: Provocative slogans shock the Viennese political landscape!

In the run -up to the Vienna elections, the ÖVP shocked with its new election campaign, which triggers more than just astonishment. Under the leadership of Karl Mahrer, a number of posters are presented that draw attention to themselves with provocative and sometimes drastic slogans. Statements such as "German is mandatory. Habibi" and "Stop Viennese Blood Pour" set a clear sign and listen more about populist rhetoric than according to traditional, moderate politics for which the party otherwise stands. This orientation is seen as an attempt to differentiate itself from the competition, in particular the FPÖ, as well as Exxpress.at reported.

The campaign manager Peter Sverak nevertheless emphasizes that the ÖVP acts constructively and with "clear messages" with this campaign. According to him, the message is clear: "German is mandatory. Habibi" is a "friendly hug" for promoting integration. In addition, attention should be drawn to pressing problems such as long waiting times in the health system. The concern about the currently low survey values ​​is dismissed by Mahrer as unfounded. With a budget of 3.5 million euros, the ÖVP is planning an offensive campaign that started social media with provocative statements in January. These approaches indicate that migration and security should become the central issues of the election campaign, according to Wien.at .

The new campaign also causes criticism within its own ranks. Internal emails that are available to the Exxpress speak of "tasteless" and "inhuman" slogans that do not correspond to the self-image of a Christian-social party. While Mahrer has always emphasized the opposite and the rhetoric of the FPÖ sharply condemns, the question arises as to how this new drastic expression in the previous, decent self -image of the Vienna ÖVP is fitting. Obviously, with its new strategy, the party used the right -wing populist discourse of the FPÖ, but under the guise of a "more serious" policy.