Sebastian Kurz, ÖVP, will be Europe’s youngest leader, with 31 years. FPÖ-chief Heinz-Christian Strache (r.) will be vice-chancellor.
An original translation from Die Welt:
Austrian Government Program
Asylum seekers to hand over mobile phones and cash
Austria will adopt a new style with the new ÖVP-FPÖ government. This had been clear for quite a while. But what are the plans of the coalition under the new chancellor Kurz? The government program “For our Austria”, Für unser Österreich, details it.
After seven weeks of negotiations, ÖVP and FPÖ agreed on a 182 pages strong government program for the next five years. The coalition of conservatives and right-wing-populists declare their clear dedication for the EU.
The preface of the pact says: “A strong Austria, where we can seize the opportunities of the 21st century, can only exist in a strong Europe”. A fundament of solid politics was, among others, comprised of the basic principles of the European Union. The parties’ councils approved the pact late Friday evening unanimously.
But what exactly does “Together. For our Austria” say? Some of the points were already extracted on Saturday. But what do general statements like “stop illegal migration” and “speed up asylum proceedings” really mean? These are the most important of the planned measures.
Migration and refugees
– Whoever applies for asylum in Austria will have to hand over all of his cash at the application. The sum is to be used to cover the basic supply costs.
– Asylum seekers have to hand over their mobile phones to the authorities. These will analyse the phone data, to clarify identities (for example in social networks) and to verify the denoted travel route. The smart phones won’t be completely confiscated though.
– Quicker withdrawal of protection status at travels to the homeland.
– During the asylum procedure, asylum seekers will receive non-cash benefits only, no more cash.
– The doctoral obligation to confidentiality will be suspended, when illnesses of an asylum seeker are “relevant to the basic supply”.
– Refugee children will learn German in so-called bridge classes. Until now, they were integrated directly into the school system.
– The list of safe countries of origin will be expanded.
– The monetary benefit for asylants and subsidiary protected will be reduced to a base benefit of 365 Euro and a potential integration bonus of 155 Euro. Family benefits will be capped to 1,500 Euro.
Taxes
– The government will lower the tax burden in the next five years. The lowering of the wage- and income-tax will mean keeping more net from your gross.
– Especially families will be unburdened with a tax bonus. Among others, a tax bonus of 1,500 Euros per child and family is offered.
– The tax burden will be lowered towards 40 percent.
Security
– 2,100 additional police officers will be hired during the next five years.
– Citizenship will be “newly reshaped”, according to the coalition paper. It is now defined as the “completion of a successful process of integration”.
– Closing-down of Islamic kindergartens and Islamic private schools when they do not fulfil the legal requirements.
– The government intends a dramatic toughening of punishments for sex crimes. Particularly for assaults on women and children.
– Clubs that are financed by, for example, religious societies in foreign countries, will be consequently shut down. The club law will be reworked to plug loopholes.
Employment Law
– Employment Law will be eased to make the Austrian employment market more attractive for companies.
– More flexible working hours for employees.
– considering to enshrine Christmas and holiday benefits for employees in law.
– A minimum pension of 1,200 Euros for low-paid workers after 40 years on the job.
– More funding and more positions at universities, to counteract the exodus of young scientists.
Europe
– ÖVP and FPÖ want a definite termination of the EU accession negotiations with Turkey, and they are looking for “allies” for that. Instead, Vienna wants a “European-Turkish neighbor concept”.
– The government wants to promote better coordination of the EU member states in protecting the outer European borders.
– As long as this is not secured, the national borders will be secured by all measures.
Download the full program as PDF here (in German).
Translator’s note: remember how bleak Austria’s prospects seemed not long ago.
Why the obligation, still, to take any invaders at all? Stupid. Either you want them or not. Why play these silly games.
Internal politics, if they reject all of them their government would fall and more would be invited in. No matter how arrogant they act modern politicians aren’t absolute Monarch’s so they can’t just stop letting the invaders in because the useful idiots have too much power. You have to chip away at their power until you can act logically.
I know, Richard, you are quite right. Frustrating to see is all.
I know the feeling, I get that way a lot.
All the more reason why people should never give up on their country no matter how bleak it sounds. You never which wunderkind is hanging around the corner to completely turn the country around.
A nice nugget to put on the optimist’s side of the scale.
Austria: Thousands rally outside Hofburg as FPO enters coalition
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Vienna and formed crowds outside the Hofburg Presidential Palace on Monday to decry the far-right Freedom Party entering the recently formed Austrian government coalition.
“We are requesting a completely different society, than the right-extreme parties,” explained Tom Mueller from the Platform Radical Linke, adding that “Austria’s politics should be more central, or even better a bit left.”
Austria: Thousands protest government coalition with far-right
Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Vienna on Monday to decry the recently formed Austrian government coalition with the far-right Freedom party.
Protesters marched through the streets whilst holding banners and chanting. Anti-riot police were present and on high alert, as smoke grenades were set off on the streets.