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Rudolf Anschober still does not see “light at the end of the tunnel”, but he does see the possibility of “vaccinating whoever he wants” by the summer of 2021. He wants to get legal help, as he announced in his statement Tuesday.
Rudolf Anschober maintained self-criticism, which is probably not just a character trait, but sometimes also a strategic calculation, until the end of his one-hour statement: Yes, there was a lot of criticism, and he wanted to go deeper, “because everyone hears that “I want to,” the Minister for Health and Social Affairs said Tuesday at the press center at the Stubenring.
But he defended his home legal department, without naming them: “Don’t criticize those who have had seven-day weeks for six months. It’s brutal. Criticize me. Criticism is something fundamental, that takes me further. I can handle it.”
Consequences. However, the minister then felt that he had to defend his staff by listing the achievements of the last six months: 91 ordinances and 144 legal acts had been drawn up in the Ministry of Health. There were: 11,000 inquiries in the legal department, 105,000 inquiries from citizens, 500,000 calls to hotlines (such as those of the Ages) and 1.5 million calls to the 1450 health advisory service. “And that with a personal situation practically unchanged. “
But what should not stay that way. As announced, the number of employees in the legal department will increase in September. In addition, Anschober would like to create an “Advisory Council of Legal Experts” based on the model of the Corona working group. It should help the Ministry of Health avoid unsuccessful prescriptions.
In April, Anschober had obtained outside legal help. Among other things, the former President of the Administrative Court, Clemens Jabloner, was at his side in an advisory capacity. Recognized constitutional lawyers will also be part of the new permanent advisory council. The minister still did not want to give names: the talks were still missing.
Parliament. Anchober also wants to “significantly intensify” the dialogue elsewhere, that is, in parliament, with the National Council and the Federal Council. Wherever “restrictions on fundamental rights” are debated, the main committee of parliament must be involved. It is about the right balance between the common good and individual freedom.
Activities. Anchober’s speech, which was at least officially not a response to the Chancellor’s statement on Friday, was also intended to prepare the population for new restrictions in the fall and winter, not to say: swear. Summer was also “a time of carefree.” “But now he’s getting serious again.”
The minister did not go into details yet, only spoke of a “consistent implementation of basic measures”, hygiene and distance. And he announced that oral and nasal protection “will be an important companion in the coming months.”
Christmas to winter tourism. Anchober anticipated some questions, but was still unable to answer them adequately. Christmas? “I still can’t say if we will have Christmas markets.” Or “big dance events” at the carnival. Winter tourism? “It will be possible. But only under certain conditions.” At the end of September, the government will present a concept. We are in talks with other ski nations, with Italy, France and Switzerland. What about the school? “We want to maintain normal operations there. as far as possible”.
Social policy. Then the minister also referred to the area that had been “lost” in recent months, in fact throughout his term: social policy. The financing models for the health insurance fund would be “jointly developed” in September. By the end of the month, Anschober announced a study on “the social situation in Austria after the pandemic.”
The nursing reform should be in effect by the end of the year and will be implemented next year. And in his role as a green politician (although he is not the leader of the party) he promised economic stimulus programs in the form of investments in climate protection.
Spitalsbetten. Recalling the acute first phase of the Corona crisis, Anschober was glad that in Austria, despite many demands, hospital beds had not been dismantled. Which has now been proven correct. “That is the best invested tax money there is.”
Vaccination and Outlook. After half a year of restrictions, of (more or less) getting together, many “Grant, an impatience,” said the Minister. He can understand that: “I long for it to end too much.”
That didn’t sound like “light at the end of the tunnel” (Sebastian Kurz), but at least Anschober promised a vaccine for January, which will initially benefit health workers. By next summer, anyone who wanted could get vaccinated. It included. A vaccination rate of more than 50 percent “would be a success.” That would not solve all the problems. “But the risks could be reduced considerably.”
(“Die Presse”, print edition, 02.09.2020)
