Asked by someone (you!) who proposes installation of Habsburg monarchs to take over peaceful and democratic Europe, that is a surprisingly uneasy question ...
Austrian democracy looks a little strange if seen from Germany in some respects. Stability is the most important thing; at the same time they have comparatively advanced laws for women's rights and tolerance, and strong resentments against both in major parts of the population.
One hope might be that Haider will lose out once his 'magic' is gone, pulling with him jingoist REPs in Southern Germany.
[However, those are quite instable already anyway, eaten by neoNazi DVU (not a party, they have no members, only professionals in PR).]
If OeVP decides to go with FPOe, Haider will surely seek an opportunity for mid-term re-elections, and dump them down. They don't seem to see this danger. ... frightening ...
The positive thing for democracy about that scenario would be that SPOe may have a possibility to reshape in opposition, maybe even helping OeVP to raise issues to gain profile against FPOe. The strong position of the President in Austria lends a hand to wash out clear lines of differentiation ...
Austrians like their coffees with cream :-).
Democratic regards MNI. |
