An extreme right-wing gov’t has been (The Freedom Party) properly elected in Austria. The leader, Haider, said in the past some complimentary things about Hitler and Nazis
From Associated Press:
The result? Various nations are withdrawing their ambassadors or suspending relations with Austria. The EU is contemplating, and maybe already started, placing sanctions against Austria.
There have also been some street riots in Austria.
So, what do you think? Should be people of Austria be allowed to elect whoever they wish without fearing reprisals from the EU? Or is the reaction just and fair?
“Glitch … download” - Glitch’s final action. sniff
(1) It’s not an extreme right-wing Government. It is a coalition Government led by (IIRC) the People’s Party, a centre-right party, with the Freedom Party as the minor party in the coalition. (Rather like the Socialist / Commnuist / Green coalition Government in France.)
(2) The EU is taking no action at all. See my post in the Pit thread.
They were evil while they were on the offensive, but once the Commies started closing in*, they were no longer fighting for ideology, but their homeland.
Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Shalikashvili was criticized for the actions of his father in World War II.
The Elder Shalikashvili had already lost one homeland to the Russians (Georgia), and would later lose his adopted home (Poland).
When the Russians started wiping out Poland (remember Katin?), he joined up with German occupation forces to fight against the Russians–not because he was a Nazi sympathizer, but because Poland was being demolished (again).
Every country is at risk from getting unpleasant reactions from other countries when they elect leaders who make the other countries seriously nervous. I mean, Haider hasn’t just held some somewhat rightest policies, he’s come out and praised Hitler, and is now rather high in the government; this would certainly make me nervous if I was living nearby, as I’m sure we’re all familiar with the pleasantness unleashed by a certain Austrian corporal.
But the thing is, the risk of condemnation and other governments closing their doors is not just something that happened now, it’s something that always could happen if country starts running itself in a manner its neighbors consider dangerous.
Personally, I’m quite happy at the European reaction. A more solid opposition to Hitler at the beginning of WW2 would have pretty much stopped the war, and here we see an opposition starting before anyone’s even started enacting frightening policies.
Kevin Allegood,
“At least one could get something through Trotsky’s skull.”
The responsibility of being in the lubricated economy of the EU is accountability to the members. They didn’t have to join.
Finally lust for money (EU membership and perks) pays off in responsility - at least having to hear EU compalints and be ready for sanctions.
Also Haider’s program is based on opposition to immigration (3-4000 in Austria per year - nothing in world standards) and fighting “inflation” (currently 4%).
The fact is that he is a socialist, and in America we associate that with the left. His suopporters are serperately afraid of the white welfare state in Austria being eaten up by foreigners. In fact, if it doesn’t get more workers, the coffers WILL run out and the oldsters will become more afraid. Can you say powder keg?