01. 09. 10. - 12:00

Ranting SPÖ MP retires

A controversial MP has stepped down after attacking a photographer and insulting a political rival.

The Social Democrats’ (SPÖ) Styrian branch announced today (Weds) Christian Faul decided to resign following a meeting with Provincial Governor Franz Voves.

Faul hit the headlines by attacking a photographer in parliament for allegedly trying to zoom in on his documents. While the journalists’ union filed a complaint about the incident to SPÖ’s parliamentary president Barbara Prammer, Faul initially argued he only "shoved" the photographer. "He would have been right to complain if I had punched him," Faul said earlier this week.

Pressure on the SPÖ MP from Styria increased a few days later when he was accused of insulting Gerald Grosz of the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) at a festival in Weiz. Several witnesses – including fellow SPÖ members – claimed Faul told the event’s presenter not to officially welcome "this asshole".

It was not the first time Faul has attacked the right-winger.

He was admonished in parliament last year for telling Grosz – who heads the BZÖ’s Styrian department – he had a "big mouth but a small brain."

After being interrupted by Grosz several times, the Social Democrat went on to tell the BZÖ MP: "Your head is too small for where the brain is supposed to be. You have no right to be present here with your IQ."

Faul further claimed Grosz "was born under the star sign crocodile - big mouth but a small brain".

The BZÖ reacted by calling for a breathalyser test for Faul, hinting he might have spoken while under the influence.

After several hours of parliamentary debate in which various topics were discussed, Faul voluntarily went to a nearby police station for a breathalyser test which showed he was not drunk.

Now the 61-year-old has decided to step down, but his outbursts are expected to harm the Styrian SPÖ’s bid to remain strongest party in the province in the 26 September election.

Meanwhile, the BZÖ’s Styrian branch has come under fire for running a raffle to get more signatures to allow them to enter the ballot.

All political groups planning to compete in the vote must present 800 signatures from people eligible to vote. Citizens must sign a form at their district commission and present an ID to avoid fraud. Backers are subsequently not forced to vote for the respective party.

Local media revealed recently that the BZÖ’s department in the town of Voitsberg attempted to lure support via a newspaper ad in which it said it would raffle off a gaming console worth 250 Euros, a furniture suite worth 150 Euros and a massage service for around 50 Euros for those signing up in support.

Grosz said he was unaware of the extraordinary lottery.

The BZÖ failed to enter the provincial parliament in 2005 after it garnered just 1.7 per cent.