Letter to the association

Tanner case: Mayor demands a clear signal

The furor surrounding the refusal to shake hands with Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner is entering the next round: Wiener Neustadt's mayor has written directly to the "Cultural Association of Bosnian Muslims Austria".

As reported, a newly appointed lieutenant with Bosnian roots refused to shake hands with Minister of Defense Klaudia Tanner during the big graduation ceremony on the grounds of the military academy in Wiener Neustadt.

Mayor Klaus Schneeberger has now declared in a letter to the "Cultural Association of Bosnian Muslims Austria" based in Wiener Neustadt that he condemns this action in the strongest possible terms.

Schneeberger in his text: "One thing is certain: it is intolerable to refuse to shake hands with a woman for religious reasons! And: It is intolerable to argue this action with personal or religious values."

"Setting a visible example"
The ÖVP politician continues in the letter: "With this in mind, I expect to receive a public clarification from your association in order to send a visible signal of tolerance and integration in Wiener Neustadt!"