Freedom Party head Strache
Photo: Reuters
Jewish leader opposes Austrian right party in government
Head of Vienna Jewish community cautions against normalizing far-right Freedom Party and its leader Heinz-Christian Strache, calling him a 'wolf in sheepskin'; ruling People's Party may attempt to hold talks with Freedom Party on coalition over shared anti-immigration agenda.
The head of Vienna's Jewish community warned of the dangers of including the right-wing Freedom Party in the Austrian government, asserting that it remains xenophobic despite its newly moderate tone.
Oskar Deutsch says even if the "nationalistic wolf puts on a (...) sheepskin, it changes only its appearance and not character."
Freedom Party head Heinz-Christian Strache toned down his rhetoric to increase electability (Photo: Reuters)
Deutsch's weekend Facebook posting comes as the People's Party prepares to seek a coalition partner after winning elections. The Freedom Party is seen as its most probable partner given that both parties campaigned on an anti-migrant platform.
Freedom Party head Heinz-Christian Strache has sought to reach out to voters that reject extremist messages by toning down his inflammatory rhetoric. He also has tried to move the party away from anti-Semitism, but it continues to attract the neo-Nazi fringe.
