My application for the European Parliament

Even though our world has a clique economy and the people at the top of the food chain rarely let anyone come up from outside, there are certain gaps that can be exploited.

I suppose the inclined reader will have noticed that I now have a modest but not a priori hopeless chance of coming to the European Parliament. I have taken advantage of the fact that I am a member of a party in which there are party-internal primary elections - which is absolutely unusual in Austrian politics, but fortunately it is the case with this party. I was so cheeky as to apply for first place in the list (top candidate). My impudence paid off: apart from me, nobody dared to compete against the candidate officially supported by the party leadership. The party's press department was therefore forced to mention my name in the official press release. I have already earned sympathy points in Austrian Internet forums.

Also see:

https://orf.at/stories/3106590/

https://diepresse.com/home/innenpolitik/5555697/35-Bewerber-fuer-die-EUWahl-bei-den-Neos

https://derstandard.at/2000095447168/35-Bewerber-fuer-die-EU-Wahl-bei-den-NEOS

(Only the "Kurier" misprinted my name - for what reason, I do not know.)

I have a great tactical advantage: on 12 January the candidates will officially introduce themselves. On 13 January, the party executive board will vote on whether the candidates will actually be admitted to the party's internal primaries.

Suppose the party executive were to decide not to admit me. Then the party would lose face. Because then the media would scream: "The only opponent was not admitted! This is proof that the NEOS are talking about internal party democracy, but in reality they are no better than all the other parties!"

Seen this way, I can be almost 100% sure that I will be admitted.

I am particularly looking forward to the first round of elections, in which anyone residing in Austria can take part. In the second round, the party executive will vote. I might also have a chance in the third round when the members present at the general meeting vote.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.