Smear on Christian politicians in Austria
In Austria, an official report on 'right-wing extremism' has been heavily criticised for defaming Christian politicians and placing traditional Christian beliefs in the context of 'right-wing extremism'. The Christian politicians named in the report reacted with shock and indignation. One of them, Jan Ledóchowski, whose ancestors were murdered by the Nazis, pointed out the absurdity of associating Catholic positions with right-wing extremism. Christian politician Gudrun Kugler, who the report unfoundedly claims was elected by a 'right-wing milieu', called the report unscientific and trivialised genuine right-wing extremism.
The report of the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance (DÖW) further claimed that traditional Christian beleives and positions such as "rejection of abortion, feminisim or homosexual and transgender rights and the advocacy of heteronormative family relationships, traditional gender roles and rigid sexual morality" have "fostered alliances alliances between right-wing Catholicism and national right-wing extremism."
"Christian and conservative positions have nothing to do with right-wing extremist ideas. Anyone who claims this disqualifies themselves", said MP Gudrun Kugler of the Austrian Christian Democrats. Putting Christian politicians and voters in such a context "is not only damaging to their reputation. Above all, it trivialises right-wing extremism and raises questions about the meaningfulness of the entire report."
Sources: katholisch.de, exxpress.at, Die Tagespost
Report of the DÖW: doew.at
Image: gudrunkugler.at