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Along with the refugee issue, there is a deep rift in the turquoise green coalition.
The fronts are hardened. On Saturday at 7.30am, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz posted a video online on Facebook in which he affirmed his no to admitting children from the burned-out Moria refugee camp. In the seven-minute video message, the ÖVP boss explained that he could not “reconcile this inhuman system of 2015” with his conscience.
At 12.10pm, his coalition partner Green Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler can be heard on the Ö1 Mittagsjournal (the conversation was recorded before the short video was posted, Kogler declined to comment again). Similar tone, completely opposite message: the Greens insist that children from the camp of misery on the Greek island be taken to Austria.
talks
He continues to work in discussions with the ÖVP to find a solution. For Kogler this means: “In a European concert” to join the ten countries that have agreed to accept some of the refugees. “If even Messrs. Söder and Rutte can do that, Austria can do it too,” Kogler said.
While the tug of war between party leaders continued behind the scenes, the rift in the turquoise-green coalition on immigration policy was clearly felt this week. “If we clear the Moria field, it will be full again,” insisted Turquoise Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg. “This is an inhumane blocking attitude of the ÖVP”, responds Green MP Michel Reimon in AUSTRIA (see below).
Kurz, however, is coming under increasing pressure to bring needy children from the Moria camp to Austria, also from his own ranks. The regional councilor of the Tyrolean ÖVP, Beate Palfrader, declared yesterday: It is a “humanitarian obligation to help.” Not only by helping on the spot, but also by welcoming children and young people. At ÖVP, especially among mayors, you are no longer alone with this opinion.
Green Michel Reimon: “Is the ÖVP an inhuman blockade”
AUSTRIA: What do you think of the video about Moria von Kurz?
Michel Reimon: I don’t see how you can say that helping children is incompatible with conscience. This is an incredibly bad attempt at showing emotion.
AUSTRIA: Would you rather consider the current ÖVP policy to be inhumane?
Reimon: This is an inhuman blockade. Now you can convince yourself of everything you want to prevent. But the fact is: Kurz doesn’t take the kids out and tries to justify it emotionally because he notices that it affects people a lot. I am pleasantly surprised in what direction the mood in the country is going.
AUSTRIA: At the same time, a massive increase in aid is being negotiated. An acceptable compromise for the Greens?
Reimon: That’s not enough! The Greens will continue to fight for Austria to accept children from Moria.
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€ 50 million: government doubles disaster aid
When asked whether the children should be brought to Austria from the burned-out Moria camp, neither coalition partner moved an inch on Saturday. But yesterday afternoon, after intense negotiations, another package was available: specifically, 400 fully equipped accommodations for 2,000 people, including hygiene packages, will be shipped to Greece next week. There is also a doctor and 10 paramedics available.
The second part of the package was reportedly fought for longer: yesterday the government agreed to immediately double the foreign disaster fund from € 25 million to € 50 million “in view of humanitarian crises in many parts of the world.” It will then be increased to 60 million by 2025. And: At the request of the Greens, local aid in the future will also be the responsibility of the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor.
The dispute over the admission of children is not ruled out. The Greens want to keep fighting for it. Kurz, however, responds: “Austria has already done a lot in accepting refugees. In 2020 alone we have already taken in 3,700 children, that is, more than 100 children per week. If others now have 4, 12 or 100 children so it is pure symbolic politics compared to what Austria does constantly. “
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