Austria’s farright lawmakers left the lower house of parliament on Thursday (30th) during a virtual audience with the Ukrainian president. Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They noted that the talk “violated Austria’s neutrality status”.
Farright parliamentarians in Austria leave the session and leave signs for neutrality
Photo: Reproduction/Social Networks/Brazil Profile
Members of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) rose from their seats as Zelenskyy addressed lawmakers via video. MEPs left cards on their respective desks with the party logo and a message reading “Room for Peace,” according to Austrian public broadcaster ORF. In the current legislative period, the FPO has 31 of a total of 183 seats in the lower house.
In a video message published on Twitter shortly after the protest, the party said this Thursday (30th) “Yes to neutrality, no to warmongering”. The FPÖ had warned days earlier against protesting in any way against the virtual audience of the Austrian Chamber with the Ukrainian President.
“It is sad that the FPÖ is the only party in Parliament that takes our constant neutrality seriously and therefore stands up for peace,” said the FPO boss. Herbert Kickl in a note this Tuesday (28). He also accused the Austrian government and other opposition parties of showing “unilateral support for part of the war”.
In his speech, Zelenskyy thanked Austria for its humanitarian aid and projects like demining, adding that it was “important not to be morally neutral in the face of evil.”
Austria is one of the few countries in Western Europe that is not part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); the country did not supply arms to Ukraine. However, Austria has already sent humanitarian aid to the Ukrainians, as well as helmets and body armor for civilian use.
the austrian chancellor, Karl Nehammertook to Twitter last week to emphasize the country’s neutral position, explaining that while we are militarily one country, “we understand that where justice and war crimes are taking place, we must help.”
Far right and the connection to Putin
The FPO has had close ties with Russia in the past. In 2016, it signed a cooperation agreement with United Russia, the conservative party that held the majority of Russia’s parliament. 2018 Russian President Wladimir Putin was seen in Austria as a guest at the wedding of Karin KneisslMember of the FPO and then Foreign Minister.
In return for the withdrawal of the Red Army from Vienna in the 1950s, Austria sold its soul to the KGB. The lack of denazification was part of the collateral damage. FPO is another name for the Nazis.
— Andrej Kobler (@AndrejKobler)
March 30, 2023