Austrian president calls for September poll in wake of scandal that ousted Vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache
Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen speaks during a news conference in Vienna, Austria, May 19 2019. Picture: REUTERS/LEONHARD FOEGERAustria’s President Alexander van der Bellen on Sunday called for fresh elections in September after a corruption scandal embroiling the far-right brought down the coalition government spectacularly.
“My preference is for early elections in September, if possible the beginning of September,” Van der Bellen said on Sunday after holding talks with Kurz.The dramatic developments followed the publication by two German newspapers on Friday of footage from a sophisticated hidden-camera sting months before Austria’s last parliamentary elections in 2017.
Strache is seen suggesting that new owners could make staff changes and use the paper to help his party in its election campaign.Kurz said on Saturday the latest revelations were the final straw after a string of Freedom Party-related scandals dogging the government.Strache for his part insisted in his emotional resignation statement that he had been the victim of a “targeted political attack” but also described his own actions as “stupid” and “irresponsible”.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted to the news out of Austria by warning of the dangers of far-right politicians “for sale”, who wanted to “destroy the Europe of our values”.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
It’s time for a wake-up callThere is an enormous number of black South Africans who are alienated from the ANC but have been unable to find a political home.
Read more »
Moody’s wake-up call to Ramaphosa dims Goldman glowMoody's has sounded a warning to the incoming cabinet to implement reforms to avoid a downgrade to junk status
Read more »
EDITORIAL: Wake-up call for DA requires reflection, not petty fightsParty must decide what it wants to be
Read more »
Unemployment rate should serve as wake-up call to incoming govt - unionsCosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla says President Cyril Ramaphosa doesn’t have any time to waste and must act quickly to prevent more jobs being shed.
Read more »
SA unemployment rate a wake-up call for policymakers – UASAStatistics South Africa said on Tuesday the unemployment rate rose to 27.6% of the labour force in the first quarter of 2019.
Read more »
Austrian vice chancellor quits over video as coalition teetersAustria's vice chancellor and longtime far-right leader, Heinz-Christian Strache, said on Saturday he was stepping down over video footage that threatened to bring down the right-wing coalition government.
Read more »
European mainstream parties cheer downfall of Austrian far-right leaderPoliticians from Europe's mainstream parties called on voters to stand against the far right, after a video sting brought down the leader of Austria's Freedom Party, hurting the momentum of nationalists days before a European parliamentary election.
Read more »
Spike in vehicle break-ins - 8 tips to avoid being a victimDespite the sophisticated technology used in modern cars today, theft of items from parked vehicles continues to be a crime that is prevalent across South Africa.
Read more »
Fraud charges in Nelson Mandela memorial scandal case withdrawn | IOL NewsHundreds of ANC supporters sang outside the East London Magistrate's Court where fraud charges against an Eastern Cape ANC ...
Read more »