Austrian presidential debate descends into slanderous squabble

 

 

The final Austrian presidential debate was a less than cordial affair.

 

With right wing populist candidate Norbert Hofer and his liberal opponent Alexander Van der Bellen neck-and-neck in the polls ahead of Sunday’s vote, the televised event was one their last opportunities to battle for votes.

 

And battle they did. Both politicians flung outlandish accusations across the table, each armed with a folder full of contentious statements made by the other.

 

When the mediator on public broadcaster ORF tried to get the debate back on track, it was brief.

 

Speaking of the recent election of Donald Trump, Hofer said he believed the US will develop in a positive way. After Trump there will be another president, and another and another, he said, and we will have positive relations with the US for decades to come.

 

Van der Bellen, a self described critic of the Trump campaign, emphasised the need for Europeans to band together to define and defend interests and values.

 

By the end of the evening, both candidates had lost patience with one another.

 

Hofer accused Van der Bellen of having been a communist and a spy, while the left wing candidate called his opponent a mean liar.

 

There was no love lost between the pair, and both will be pleased that their paths may not cross for a long while.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-12-03

 

Good Luck Australia,  hope the one you pick is good for the

country.  You could have Canada's PM if you want, he is

only 45 and loves selfies, carbon tax, and flying around

a lot on the Canada taxpayer dollar

Geezer

9 minutes ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

Good Luck Australia,  hope the one you pick is good for the

country.  You could have Canada's PM if you want, he is

only 45 and loves selfies, carbon tax, and flying around

a lot on the Canada taxpayer dollar

Geezer

Ah, Geezer, that's Austria -- the one that doesn't have kangaroos (other than in zoos).

 

Oops I definitely need those new glasses ,  and yes

if Austria  wants a gently used PM  they can still

take ours, as we Canadians DO NOT need any

carbon tax. Thanks for correcting the country involved.

Geezer

3 hours ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

Good Luck Australia,  hope the one you pick is good for the

country.  You could have Canada's PM if you want, he is

only 45 and loves selfies, carbon tax, and flying around

a lot on the Canada taxpayer dollar

Geezer

You mean Austria, not Australia my Friend.

Yep, lefties get all touchy when their bull is called-out.

 

Let's see...Austria...then Italy...then France...then Holland...then Finland and Sweden...and the EU is finished!

28 minutes ago, OMGImInPattaya said:

Yep, lefties get all touchy when their bull is called-out.

 

Let's see...Austria...then Italy...then France...then Holland...then Finland and Sweden...and the EU is finished!

 

Hollande has already said he will not contest the next French elections.

2 minutes ago, CharlieK said:

 

Hollande has already said he will not contest the next French elections.

I said Holland...as in the country and Kurt Vilders  

Just now, OMGImInPattaya said:

I said Holland...as in the country and Kurt Vilders  

 

55555555 oops, but but you did say France!