After an initiative involving former market stalls rejected at the 2022 Vienna Christmas Market raised allegations of corruption against the city and the new organizer, there has been renewed unrest across the market this year. The initiative talks about “suspected anti-Semitism” because of a lawsuit. My own area has researched what is behind it.
VIENNA. There is a dense crowd between the stands, many people hold their hands with a mug of mulled wine, Christmas balls and lights as well as gingerbread hearts can be found everywhere and the most famous Christmas carols can be heard in the background. This is how you can describe the atmosphere at every Christkindl and Christmas market in Vienna.
No approach after threat
Many things were going to change with the takeover, so all positions were re-advertised. An “independent commission” then decided who would get the popular places. When a long-time market trader was informed that he had received nothing from the new offer, he is said to have threatened the market coordinator of the city of Vienna Marketing GmbH. The city office of Vienna Marketing on Alsergrund was also smeared by unknown people. A ban on entry and approach was issued against the ex-Constor. My area reported:
Threats against employees of the Vienna City Market
Months later, as part of the opening of the Christmas market on November 19, 2022, the initiative “Save the Christkindlmarkt” had a performance. In the coverage of the rally there were several accusations against the city, Marketing GmbH, the former organizer and the Vienna Chamber of Commerce. There was talk of corruption, empty money, “ridiculous statistics,” “bad framing” and the “classic reversal of victim-care” over and over again. My district also reported this:
Unrest and demonstration before the start of the Christmas market on Rathausplatz
Two years later the story begins to roll again. The aforementioned initiative reports “suspicion of anti-Semitism” within the Vienna SPÖ. Because a “Jewish businesswoman” sued the City of Vienna Marketing GmbH after criticizing Walter Hillerer (head of the City of Vienna’s immediate action group). The Viennese SPÖ wants to systematically “start” the initiative and its supporters through the marketing company: “It is a reminder of the darkest chapter in Austrian history that the Jewish merchant of all people was chosen as a victim.” Harsh accusations against the SPÖ and the Vienna City Market GmbH.
My area has done research and there is a very complex story behind these allegations. When asked by MeinBezirk, the city of Vienna did not want to comment further on the allegations because this suspicion is “self-inflicted”. This must be “rejected in the strongest terms” and the allegations against Hillerer, who is “a very well-known employee in the city”, are ”excellent”. They did not want to divulge further details. According to a spokesperson, the Vienna SPÖ
Lawsuit has nothing to do with religion
According to MeinBezirk information, Jaqueline H is the “Jewish businesswoman”. She was a media spokesperson for the protesters in 2022, when the dispute between the initiative and the city came to light. In December 2022, a few weeks after the publication of the addresses, the city of Vienna Market filed a lawsuit against them at the Regional Court of Korneuburg (Lower Austria).
According to City of Vienna insiders, the reason for H.’s lawsuit had nothing to do with the faith or origin of the former market stallholder, but with the fact that H. was the only person to be found in the website trace the initiative at the time. That’s why his lawsuit was against Jaqueline H. The city did not want to let the allegations of corruption made at the time stand. The court decided that the woman could no longer repeat the allegations.
No refunds, wood extras sold
My area then asked the initiative why new allegations were being made. You immediately respond with a whole bunch of accusations. The allegations of fraud are still “extensive”.
Amir C. explained to MeinBezirk that the old market booths were bought in 2022 by Akan Keskin – the former operator of the market, who brought over to the city of Vienna Marketing GmbH. And that only after the successful takeover by Marketing GmbH. Property belonging to market stall holders would also be sold: “Since he sold the back wooden additions to the huts, ie the property of some market drivers, we argued for this publicly. To this day, the city represented Vienna Marketing. no interest in this” Former organizer Keskin denied this allegation to MeinBezirk in 2022.
And there were already problems before the takeover at the city of Vienna Marketing GmbH. Due to the last Corona lockdown in 2021, the Christmas market took place 20 days shorter than planned. Some market drivers did not get back part of the flat rate rent paid; The operating association dismissed these allegations as “false” at the time. The market stall holders sued with a “collection association”, ie a class action lawsuit. According to the initiative, there was an arrangement where market drivers were paid “only a percentage”; The city knew about it at the time, but never had a conversation with the initiative, they say.
“The City of Vienna used bad framing at the time because of this, even though they already knew that the matter was over months in advance,” it is said. Amir C. was also suspicious because of the graffiti on the marketing office: “I never did it, the perpetrator was never identified,” says the man in an interview with MeinBezirk.
It is not known whether this dispute will ever end. It is also not clear if demonstrations will take place this year as well.
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All Christmas markets & Christmas markets 2024 in Vienna
Interview Between Time.News Editor and Expert on Vienna’s Christmas Market Controversy
Editor: Welcome to Time.News. Today, we’re discussing the ongoing controversies surrounding Vienna’s famed Christmas markets, particularly in light of recent allegations stemming from the 2022 Christmas season. Joining me is Dr. Lukas Meyer, a political scientist and expert on municipal governance. Thank you for being here, Dr. Meyer.
Dr. Meyer: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to discuss such an intriguing, albeit concerning, situation.
Editor: To provide our readers with some context, can you summarize what sparked these allegations of corruption and anti-Semitism related to the Christmas market?
Dr. Meyer: Certainly. The controversy began after a new organizing body took over the Christmas market in 2022, rejecting several long-standing vendors. Allegations of corruption soon followed, particularly aimed at the Vienna City Marketing GmbH and city officials. The situation escalated with accusations of anti-Semitism after a Jewish businesswoman, who had been a spokesperson for the protesters, filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming discrimination and fraud.
Editor: It sounds like a complex situation. Can you elaborate on the “Save the Christkindlmarkt” initiative, which has emerged amidst this unrest?
Dr. Meyer: Absolutely. This initiative aims to advocate for the rights and interests of the former market vendors who were ousted during the transition. They organized demonstrations and voiced strong criticisms against the city and its marketing agency, alleging not only corruption but also mismanagement of the market itself. Central to their grievances is the fear that the historical and cultural essence of the market is being undermined.
Editor: And what about the claims of anti-Semitism? How are these tied to the broader allegations?
Dr. Meyer: The allegations of anti-Semitism stem from the broader narrative around the treatment of the Jewish businesswoman, Jaqueline H. Her lawsuit is seen as a focal point in this conflict. Critics argue that her identity as a Jewish entrepreneur has been weaponized in this debate, with some claiming that it reflects a troubling resurgence of anti-Semitic sentiment within certain factions of Austrian politics, particularly linked to the Vienna SPÖ party.
Editor: How did the city of Vienna respond to these allegations?
Dr. Meyer: Interestingly, the city has been largely reticent regarding these accusations. Officials have stated that the suspicion of anti-Semitism is unfounded and firmly rejected those claims. They maintain that the recent controversies are self-inflicted and an outcome of the initiative’s actions rather than systemic issues within city administration.
Editor: What do you think is the long-term impact of these controversies on Vienna’s Christmas market and its community?
Dr. Meyer: The long-term implications could be significant. Vienna’s Christmas markets are not just commercial enterprises; they are deeply cultural events that foster community and tradition. If these controversies lead to a perceived lack of transparency and inclusivity, it may affect public trust in local governance and could ultimately alter the way these markets operate in the future. It’s a delicate balance between maintaining tradition while ensuring fairness and equity among vendors.
Editor: what do you think are the next steps for both the city and the initiative?
Dr. Meyer: The city must address the concerns raised by the initiative and ensure a more transparent and inclusive process moving forward. For the “Save the Christkindlmarkt” initiative, they need to find constructive ways to engage with city officials rather than simply protesting. Dialogue will be key in resolving these ongoing tensions and restoring confidence among vendors and the community at large.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Meyer, for your insights into this intricate and evolving situation. It’s certainly a topic worth following as it develops.
Dr. Meyer: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how this plays out in the coming months.