"Krone" commentary

The caretaker

(Bild: Markus Tschepp)

The picture is heart-warming. A young guy with a sweater and glasses is smiling into the camera, his left hand resting on the dark red baby sling, from which two little feet dangle in pink slippers. The baby's head is hidden behind a pink hood.

In the 21st century, this would no longer be unusual. For many young couples, half-and-half has long been a matter of course. Fathers go on maternity leave just like mothers and are therefore no longer celebrated as heroes by society.

Conny Bischofberger comments on current moments for the "Krone".(Bild: stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

This young father, however, is a top candidate on his way to the polls. Instead of tying a tie around his neck, he has his little princess strapped around his waist. Kay-Michael Dankl, who is currently ushering in a small revolution in the city of Mozart, is not your average politician.

A museum caretaker by trade, a campaigner for affordable housing, approachable for everyone, helps people in financial need - like the KPÖ mayor of Graz - with cash. Dankl will continue to donate anything over 2500 euros to social causes in future.

The trained historian was just 821 votes short of turning Salzburg Dankl red on Sunday. It could be close in the run-off in two weeks' time. Even if many would not normally have the heart to vote for a communist: With a caretaker like Dankl, it is quite possible that they will jump over their shadow.