05. 03. 10. - 15:00

Schönborn and Leitl rule out voting Rosenkranz

Vienna Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn said today (Fri) he could rule out voting for the Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) presidential election candidate Barbara Rosenkranz.

Schönborn said: "Someone who questions the ‘National Socialism prohibition law’ and fails to make clear statements regarding the Holocaust is not an option for me personally."

Rosenkranz, who represents the ultra-conservative wing of right-wing opposition party the FPÖ, has repeatedly made statements her political opponents branded "xenophobic", "appalling" and "far-right".

The mother-of-ten, who heads the FPÖ’s Lower Austrian branch, recently received outspoken support by the Kronen Zeitung, Austria’s bestselling newspaper.

Schönborn said he was only speaking for himself, but added he was "convinced" all other Austrian bishops would agree with him.

Christoph Leitl, head of the Austrian Economy Chamber (WKO), only yesterday said: "I will certainly not vote for her [Rosenkranz]."

FPÖ boss Heinz-Christian Strache said he saw a potential of around 35 per cent for his candidate, while analysts predict a landslide victory by incumbent president Heinz Fischer in the election set to be held on 25 April.

All the Greens, the People’s Party (ÖVP) and the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) decided not to nominate own candidates.

BZÖ chief Josef Bucher said: "You know I have got nothing to do with people of a far-right mindset. We [the BZÖ] have always clearly disassociated ourselves from such views."

Deputy FPÖ leader Norbert Hofer today accused his party’s political rivals of running "an unmatched campaign" against Rosenkranz.

Viennese lawyer Georg Zanger revealed yesterday he has launched legal action against Rosenkranz.

Zanger said he regarded her questioning of Austria’s ‘National Socialism prohibition law’ as a "preparing act" for a spreading Nazi mindset – something which is illegal in Austria.