On Kirtag in Altaussee

NEOS Leader Confuses Polterer with FPÖ Supporters

The NEOS leader was booed at the Altaussee Kirtag.(Bild: Facebook/Beate Meinl-Reisinger)

First there were boos and whistles, then Beate Meinl-Reisinger shouted from the stage at the Altaussee Kirtag: “Enough is enough!” The foreign minister dismissed the incident as a disruption orchestrated by the FPÖ. In fact, it was likely a group of rowdy revelers from Upper Austria. For the FPÖ, it was a golden opportunity.

As usual, Meinl-Reisinger attended the Kirtag on Saturday this year in traditional festival attire, mingling with the revelers in visibly good spirits, signing autographs, and taking selfies. When she then gave a short speech, boos and whistles rang out from parts of the crowd in the beer tent. “I just know where it’s really beautiful, where people love to come from, where you feel at home, where you meet lots of nice people,” said the politician, who has a vacation home in the Styrian Salzkammergut. “Yes, it’s just beautiful there—really beautiful.”

“Enough already”
Meanwhile, however, loud whistles and boos rang out from parts of the audience, to which the minister responded directly. “And now, let’s cut it out. We’re all here together in Austria,” she said, trying to calm the crowd. “We’re happy to be here today, and we’re enjoying the evening together. Here’s to a wonderful evening at the Altaussee beer tent!” she exclaimed in closing.

The minister didn’t go over well at the beer tent.(Bild: APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Later, the 48-year-old spoke of a “disruption attempt by the FPÖ” that had failed. The FPÖ wanted to “provoke, polarize, and divide,” but at the “Kiritog,” she emphasized on Instagram, “nobody wants that—we just want to celebrate together.” Meinl-Reisinger is probably right about the latter, but her accusations are clearly false. 

In the beer tent was a group of 50 people from Upper Austria celebrating a bachelor party, all wearing blue hats. Some of them may have whistled and felt attacked by the minister’s subsequent accusations. In any case, one of the men contacted the media and the FPÖ. The “Krone” has a copy of the email. “Reisinger couldn’t have sunk any lower,” he writes in it.

Did Meinl-Reisinger mistake the wedding party for FPÖ activists?(Bild: Privat)

But they didn’t let it spoil their mood.(Bild: Privat)

FPÖ Secretary-General Michael Schnedlitz describes the minister’s behavior as a “scandal.” “It’s typical of the foreign minister’s arrogant and self-absorbed manner. She simply can’t imagine that anyone wouldn’t find her likable and idolize her, but would instead greet her with boos.” Perhaps one of her party colleagues should bring Meinl-Reisinger back down to earth. Even within her own party, there is massive criticism directed at her. So it’s very likely that in a packed beer tent, there are people who don’t like Beate Meinl-Reisinger.”