This is what the ÖVP says after posting about Muslims

This had previously caused discontent among coalition partners SPÖ and NEOS. The relevant sentence comes from a "scientific study" by a "renowned institute," said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) in the Ö1 "Morning Journal." ÖVP Secretary General Nico Marchetti described the outrage as "surprising."

ÖVP post about Muslims appeared on Instagram

The subject was published a few days ago on the official Instagram account of the People's Party, after the results of the Integration Barometer, commissioned by the Integration Fund, were presented. In large letters on a black background, it reads: "Did you know that two-thirds find living together with Muslims difficult?"

It is a "fact" that there are "repeated discussions" in the coexistence between Austrians and the Muslim population, argued Karner: "This is not a criticism of the religious community, but the result of a scientific study." Marchetti emphasized on the sidelines of a press conference that he considers the results of the barometer to be "absolutely valid" and can confirm them from his own experience. Politicians should "take seriously what the population feels in the area of immigration and integration, instead of being morally outraged," appealed the Secretary General.

Marterbauer: "Sorry! We are not like that."

The post even upset the coalition partners of the People's Party, SPÖ and NEOS. The red Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer apologized via Bluesky with the words: "Sorry! We are not like that." The Socialist Youth of Austria, a red front organization, went a step further by filing a complaint against Plakolm for incitement. "Plakolm and the ÖVP are once again trying to divide with anti-Muslim racism and distract from their clientele politics," criticized SJ Chairwoman Larissa Zivkovic.

NEOS club chairman Yannick Shetty also informed the People's Party: "Anyone who places all Muslims under general suspicion is consciously dividing society and thereby promoting both right-wing extremists and Islamists equally." This is "fundamentally wrong and politically extremely clumsy."

Rejection also came from Green Party leader Leonore Gewessler: "Anyone who problematizes entire population groups indiscriminately is engaging in conscious division." Politics has the task of "strengthening cohesion and commonality - not sowing distrust. It is shameful that people who have lived, worked, and been part of our society in Austria for decades have to read such things," criticized Gewessler. This is "unworthy" of a chancellor party.

The NGO SOS Mitmensch accused Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) in an open letter of abusing the Integration Barometer survey and thus "achieving the exact opposite of integration, namely resentment and division." The Islamic Federations urgently called on all political leaders to "immediately end the anti-Islamic policies and derogatory rhetoric towards Muslims."

"Integration Needs Differentiation and Responsibility"

The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) also struck a similar note: Studies, political statements, and media exaggerations are currently accompanied by a "noticeable increase in hostile rhetoric, threats, and attacks on religious institutions." "Integration needs differentiation and responsibility. Anyone who uses mood images as the basis for blanket judgments about entire population or religious groups endangers social cohesion and undermines trust in democratic institutions," emphasized IGGÖ President Ümit Vural.

The Catholic Action Austria (KAÖ) also warned against division. "Anyone who indiscriminately associates members of a religious community with the rejection of our democratic values is promoting division," writes President Ferdinand Kaineder according to Kathpress in the current "Christmas message" on Monday.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.