Vera Mair

Popular petitions (Volksbegehren) enable the electorate to initiate the law-making procedure.

“Next stop psychiatric hospital” the monotonous female voice in the speakers of bus No. 48 announces. Through the giant, mint green iron bars, a grey building emerges from behind towering fir trees, laurel wreaths decorate the walls and two side wings in brick. Over the doorway, in large mint green block letters, Otto Wagner Spital, crowns the façade. A steady stream of visitors enter and leave through the open gate, passing manicured beds of white and red flowers arranged to make the Vienna City seal.

A poster hung on a dark-green lamp post next to a small Turkish grocer in Hernals, Vienna’s 17th District. A woman wearing a headscarf passes by with her five-year-old son and ostentatiously looks at the sky when they pass by. Other pedestrians take a short glimpse, some shake their heads, others nod, an elderly lady who is slowly pulling a grey carrier bag pauses and affirmatively mumbles: “That’s right! Away with the mob!”

“The West in Christian Hands” (Abendland in Christenhand) proclaims the poster in large red letters, the FPÖ’s electoral slogan for the upcoming European Parliament elections.

An Austrian teenager, Xaver, in a yellow polo shirt sits silently with his mother at the table eating lunch. Xaver finishes his drink, points to the pitcher of juice and asks his mother: “Can I?” The blond woman in her forties looks up from her plate and says nothing, then wordlessly puts another forkful of spaghetti into her mouth. Only after Xaver adds an insistent “please,” does she begrudgingly hand him the pitcher.

One month before the elections for the European Union Parliament, knowledge about the EU is more important than ever. The issues on the main agenda will influence everyone’s lives in both new and old member states. However, a widespread lack of information among Austrians about the EU – both programs and powers – appears to translate into a deep skepticism towards the Union and its bodies.

Dear Diary,

I don’t mind waiting for my tram at Schottentor station on my way home from the university. From the rather ugly station with its concrete columns and two small stands selling bread and sweets you have a pleasant view on the partially renovated Votivkirche and its small park, the sun glaring off the neo-Gothic sandstone blocks.