Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen is known for his tendency to remain silent on unpleasant domestic issues, especially when they concern left-wing extremism, corruption, terror or migrant violence. The Green head of state is conspicuously silent on the latter in the case of Leonie, who was allegedly raped and murdered by Afghans.
Where Van der Bellen’s priorities and sympathies apparently are, can be seen especially since his stony silence and inaction on the rampant corruption cases in the Republic, mainly caused by the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP). Only after great public pressure did the Federal President express himself more than reservedly on the affairs surrounding ÖVP Finance Minister Gernot Blümel and various chat messages.
And now, although the whole of Austria is talking about it and is dismayed, the head of state did not say anything about the bestial crime against the underage girl Leonie. But Van der Bellen apparently had time to congratulate Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) on his upcoming fatherhood, which was well-placed in the tabloid media. On Twitter, Van der Bellen wrote of his joy at the news, among other things. A sheer mockery for the bereaved families of Leonie and many other people who have to experience migrant violence in Austria on a daily basis.
This is not the first scandal involving Van der Bellen’s out-of-place congratulations. Only a few days ago, the Federal President’s congratulations for the new acting President of Iran caused a stir. The latter is known as an Islamist hardliner and, according to the Iranian opposition, is partly responsible for the deaths of thousands of supporters of democratic reform.