A dispute has broken out among politicians in Vienna about greetings. In Bavaria, incorrect greetings were even punished by disciplinary measures. It’s more casual today. But it’s still disreputable not to salute.
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Hans Kratz
The Austrian political scene is never boring, because it feeds on squabbling, strife and nefariousness. The state is regularly shaken by misconduct of the highest magnitude, but of course the annoyances sometimes touch the everyday level. A few days ago, a court of inquiry broke out in a committee of inquiry in Vienna, which resonated in the press for days. The ÖVP politician Bernhard Ebner, who comes from Lower Austria, is said to have given a hearty “Grüß Gott” in the committee. The SPÖ parliamentary group leader Kai Jan Krainer is said to have replied: “In Vienna that doesn’t mean hello, but hello.”