Hubert Aigwanger caused a sensation with a tweet on election day.
Now the federal returning officer has decided - and the party is talking about the consequences.
Munich - Free voter boss Hubert Aiwanger had posted a tweet on Sunday of this year's general election, which some people interpreted as clear election manipulation. He had posted the alleged results of the exit polls on the social media platform - an undertaking that could result in a fine of up to 50,000 euros. The Federal Returning Officer, however, probably found the whole thing less punishable - so Aiwanger does not have to fear a fine or a lawsuit.
According to the party, the Federal Returning Officer decided this on Tuesday (October 12).
“The numbers that were circulated, which were only available on the account for a few minutes, were also not numbers from a post-election survey,” a statement said.
The party has not yet answered the question of where the numbers should come from.
Aiwanger tweet causes excitement: Still no consequences have to be feared
In his tweet, Aiwanger had published alleged election forecasts and coupled them with an apparently very clear election call for his party.
That did not help the free voters: They came up with less than three percent.
For several years it has been customary not to publish polls and election forecasts on election weekend itself in order not to influence citizens shortly before the election.
Prime Minister Markus Söder even demanded a public apology from his deputy.
A demand that Aiwanger complied with in the Bavarian state parliament.
Criticism of Aiwanger-Post: "Incredible case of election manipulation and voter influence"
Markus Blume, General Secretary of the CSU, posted a screenshot of the Aiwanger tweet on election day and criticized: “An unbelievable case of election manipulation and voter influence.
That is deeply undemocratic and must have consequences! ”The Federal Returning Officer obviously does not see it that way.
. @ HubertAiwanger disseminates forecast results before 6 p.m. and combines them with an election call.
An unbelievable case of election manipulation and voter influence.
That is deeply undemocratic and must have consequences!
@Wahlleiter_Bund pic.twitter.com/91TX8LjDWO
- Markus Blume (@MarkusBlume) September 26, 2021
The fact that Söder and Aiwanger do not always agree is nothing new.
But now the Prime Minister is making a name for himself with a swipe in the direction of Aiwanger.
