Van der Bellen Warns: Tools Against Putin's Disinformation are Missing

At the traditional New Year's reception for diplomats in Vienna, President Alexander Van der Bellen warned on Thursday at the Hofburg: "We do not have enough tools" against Putin's disinformation.

President Van der Bellen: Not Enough Tools Against Putin's Disinformation

Apart from Russia's war against its "victim Ukraine, he (Putin) is stirring up hatred in his own country against the West and he is trying to destabilise our democratic, liberal societies with disinformation. And as it turns out, we are not immune to these threats. We do not have enough tools to counter these lies and distortions that flood our society, among other things on social media," said the President before the assembled diplomats. A tug of war for the minds of people and governments seems to have begun.

In view of ongoing crises, such as the climate catastrophe and the escalation in the Middle East conflict, as well as a "new world order" that is emerging, Van der Bellen generally spoke of "interesting times - a term (...) that is not meant positively". "The division within our societies and in international relations is deepening." Fatalism is certainly not a solution, Van der Bellen emphasised. "We need hope and determination." And also: "We need partnerships, multilateralism - the European Union and the United Nations - and we need diplomacy." Therefore, Austria is also applying again for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council - for the period 2027/28, noted the head of state.

Here, the President also bridged the gap to the return of Donald Trump to the office of the US President at the beginning of the week: It is still unclear how the decisions of the new government in Washington will affect other countries, multilateralism, the world economy and climate protection. However, it is clear that the long-grown, flourishing transatlantic relationship remains an "important pillar of Austrian and European politics". He trusts in the continuity of the alliance based on respect, goodwill and shared values.

Coalition Negotiations: Van der Bellen Demands Stable Government and Respect for the Constitution

Van der Bellen also commented on Austrian domestic politics, explaining to the ambassadors his approach to forming a government. "As you know, I did not take the decision lightly to entrust the FPÖ with the formation of the government," said Van der Bellen. After the failure of the tripartite talks between the ÖVP, SPÖ and Greens and the withdrawal of Federal Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer, a new picture emerged - "one in which the voices in the People's Party, which had previously ruled out cooperation with the FPÖ under Mr. Kickl, have become much quieter."

This opened up a new path that had not been there before. "My goal must be to have a stable government for the Republic of Austria." No matter how the coalition negotiations between FPÖ and ÖVP turn out, "I will continue to ensure that the principles and rules of our constitution are correctly observed and adhered to. That is my task as Federal President (...)", emphasized Van der Bellen. He had already stressed in his speech that Austria must and will remain a stable partner in the European Union.

Russian Ambassador Not Invited Due to Ukraine War

The Federal President traditionally invites the Diplomatic Corps to the New Year's reception in January. Van der Bellen caused a brief laugh when he welcomed the attendees in his "modest, imperial offices". 189 foreign representatives were invited this year; in fact, 125 of them appeared. The Russian ambassador Dmitri Ljubinski was not invited.

The introductory words with New Year's wishes were delivered by the Nuncio of Pope Francis, Archbishop Pedro López Quintana, as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. The ambassador of the Holy See in Vienna expressed hope in his brief speech for a ceasefire in the Middle East war between Israel and the militant Palestinian organization Hamas, the release of all hostages, and more humanitarian aid for the population of the Gaza Strip. More needs to be done against climate change, demanded López Quintana.

Van der Bellen then addressed both of these topics in a similar tone: Far too many people have died since the new escalation in the Middle East. A way must be found for peaceful and trusting coexistence "side by side" in the region. "There must be a solution." While climate change is having increasingly destructive effects and too little is being done against it, parties for whom the fight against climate crisis is central are doing poorly in elections, the Federal President noted.

(APA/Red)

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