Krauss said the reports about him “did not correspond to reality” and that he was looking forward to starting the new role and proving a “dynamic” influence.
On his agenda is setting up classes specifically for non-German speaking children and making all children, Austrian and foreign-born, take a German test before they start school.
Human rights pressure group, SOS Mitmensch, is urging Vienna Mayor, Michael Häupl (SPÖ), not to allow Krauss to take up the role.
He has reportedly openly used "anti-Turk hate speech", saying that "foreigners with Turkish blood" should be sent back home.
Meanwhile a petition has been set up on Avaaz.org, urging Mayor Häupl to insist on a more qualified candidate for the position.
“His statements are nationally as well as internationally unreasonable and inadmissible. He is a member of the right-wing fraternity Aldania… [his] statements are based on baiting, lies and xenophobia,” the petition reads.
On Friday it had almost 800 signatures.
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