The issue began with a deceased cat. For years, the residents of Seibersdorf had coexisted peacefully with their most notable neighbor, more or less. There had been one complaint from a neighbor about the odor of her horses, and some murmurs about her reluctance to participate in local activities—though she often gave instructions, she seldom helped with preparations or decorations. Still, relations had been mostly cordial.
Karin Kneissl was an arrival from Vienna, an hour away. After moving to Seibersdorf over twenty years ago, she first stayed in a modest apartment before purchasing a home near the main square. Initially a junior diplomat, she later worked independently as a journalist and taught international relations at some of Austria’s top universities. She even briefly served on the town’s parish council.
Then, in 2017, Kneissl was unexpectedly appointed Austria's foreign minister. The decision shocked the townspeople, though upon reflection, it seemed fitting. She was known for her unpredictable nature, always surprising people with her words and actions. If anyone could take an unexpected career turn, it was her.
The incident involving the cat occurred shortly before Kneissl assumed office, at least according to Franz Püreschitz, the deputy mayor. Without warning, Kneissl accused someone in town of deliberately killing her cat and leaving its body at her doorstep. She believed this proved the townspeople had turned against her. Animals were her passion—she kept chickens, dogs, cats, and ponies—and losing one in such a way deeply affected her.
She never explicitly stated why she thought someone would harm her pet, but Püreschitz speculated it might have been linked to her ties with the far-right Freedom party. However, this theory made little sense, as many in Seibersdorf supported conservative and far-right groups. “It was clearly an accident; we don’t harm cats,” Püreschitz said last year, standing outside Kneissl’s former home, his expression one of disbelief.
Few in the town, including Püreschitz, like being associated with Kneissl today. She is now best remembered for inviting Vladimir Putin to her 2018 wedding, where they danced a waltz together. During her time as foreign minister, she had been seen as a minor figure with little influence. But after being photographed with an authoritarian leader, she became a source of international scrutiny.
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