"Out with the Nazis": Protest in front of Vienna's Hofburg against Kickl as Chancellor
While Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen received FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl in the presidential chancellery, several hundred demonstrators had gathered in front of the Hofburg on Monday to express their displeasure about recent political developments. When Kickl left the Hofburg shortly after 12.00 pm, he was greeted by loud boos, chants of "Nazis out" were heard.
Loud Protest in Front of Hofburg Against Possible FPÖ Chancellor Kickl
Among the demonstrators were noticeably many young people, including some school classes, queer students and declared antifascists, but also representatives of the "Grannies against the Right" and mothers with toddlers. They were mostly concerned about a possible FPÖ chancellorship. "The fact that someone who calls himself a people's chancellor - a title last given to himself by Adolf Hitler - may now possibly become Austrian Federal Chancellor, awakens very dark memories in us young Jews and in the Jewish community," said Alon Ishay, president of the Jewish Austrian Students (JöH), who also demonstrated against a possible blue-black coalition.
JöH President Ishay Concerned
The FPÖ is a "structurally anti-Semitic party" and "riddled with right-wing extremist fraternity members who sing SS-loyal songs at funerals two days before the National Council election". He fears "that a time is now beginning in which it may become tight for many minorities, but also for us Jews in Austria," Ishay told the APA. At the same time, he expressed his hope "that as many people as possible will make a stand in the coming weeks that they do not agree with this."
The rally was observed by a large contingent of police. The Hofburg and the Federal Chancellery were secured with barriers. There were no incidents, the mood remained peaceful. Shortly before 1.00 pm, the last demonstrators, who had previously held up banners saying "Never again people's chancellor" or "We kick Kickl out", left.
(APA/Red)
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