Neo-Nazis just got a punch in the gut. That's because Austria's government made the wise move this past week to send a bill to parliament that would authorize them, if approved, to seize the home where Adolph Hitler was born. The plan is twofold: prevent Nazis from being able to use this place as some form of pilgrimage platform, and to demolish the home and eradicate one of the last remaining sores of the Third Reich on this nation.
Hitler was born in this house in 1889, but his family only resided there for about three years. Since the end of WWII, there has been much back and forth debate as to what should be done with the home.
But just recently, the government finally agreed to take over the ownership of the home. Previously, the owner created a roadblock when she refused to sell it. Parliament will vote on the bill in the months to come.
"The decision is necessary because the Republic would like to prevent this house from becoming a 'cult site' for neo-Nazis in any way, which it has been repeatedly in the past, when people gathered there to shout slogans," explained Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka in a statement to the press.
"It is my vision to tear down the house," he said.
Still, the house could end up surviving the plot. The government has yet to make a final decision on whether to historically preserve it or just destroy it.
The house has sat empty for the past five years, and was previously used to provide workshops and classes to disabled persons. Since that time, the state and the house's owner have gone back and forth, with the owner rejecting offers of purchase time and time again.
But if the law that's in parliament gets passed, the owner won't be able to appeal and the house will be forcibly sold. The state will pay a rate that is consistent with the price of houses in the area, however.
Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938. Since that time, the house has stood seemingly untouched in the aftermath of WWII. But it could head to the chopping block soon, much to the woe of neo-Nazis everywhere.
Here's to seeing the wrecking ball demolish this place.
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