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Austrian chancellor criticizes far-right congress

Xinhua, October 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern has criticized a European far-right congress to be held in the city of Linz on Saturday, and warned of a divide in Europe.

In a statement on Thursday reported by ORF, Kern said racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism are presently on the increase.

Not only are these becoming silently accepted, but even socially accepted again, the chancellor said.

He said it is "bitter" that such a meeting of a "right-wing extremist network" is taking place in the middle of the Upper Austrian city.

Kern argued that the attendees of the event, titled "Defenders of Europe," want a "split" in both Europe and Austrian society, by promoting fears and concerns that would play people against each other, and also against minorities.

In addition they would promote "simple solutions, that always insist on others being the scapegoats -- refugees, foreigners, Muslims, Jews," he said.

He also noted that the Austrian far-right Freedom Party would be represented at the congress. Endit