Re-elected Mayor Ludwig spoke about red and pink focal points – Wien Aktuell

Re-elected Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) delivered a nearly one-hour inaugural address on Tuesday afternoon after the entire government of the rose-red city took office. Ludwig redrew the priorities of the coalition’s program. This would not only dominate the challenges of the present in Crown form, but also those of the future, Ludwig said.

The mayor began his presentation with a call for cooperation. Not only in the virus pandemic, but especially as a result of the terrorist attack in the city center, the Viennese people stood together: “We must maintain this feeling of solidarity.”

Ludwig was also not embarrassed by the positive balance of ten years of red-green: “This has contributed to making Vienna a livable city.” In this sense, the decision to work together with NEOS was not a decision against one of the parties, but in favor of a new path: a coalition that had not previously existed in Austria. “Maybe there will be copycats soon,” said city chief Rot-Pink as a model project.

The presenter used most of his speech time to make a foray through the chapters of the government pact. Ludwig repeatedly mentioned the task of cushioning the corona pandemic on a health level, but also its long-term social and economic consequences. “These consequences will be serious,” he agreed at the common crossing of a “long fund.” This will be achieved through an investment program of 600 million euros in all areas. 300 projects will be implemented by 2023, including support measures for apprentices and the unemployed over 50.

In terms of health care, Ludwig referred to the planned expansion of primary care centers and contact points in private practice, as well as a training offensive, for example for nurses. In the social sphere, the motto “We leave no one behind” is followed, whereby the minimum income must be even more precise for certain target groups.

A fairly strong focus put Louis on the climate issue and he repeated a number of goals, such as emissions from transportation by 2030 through a “true transportation revolution”: cut in half to eliminate fossil heating systems from existing buildings to expand green areas or increase bike paths. The mayor did not forget to mention “creating opportunities for cars”, for example by developing the Seestadt Aspern.

1,500 new community buildings in the next five years, the expansion of free all-day schools and educational campus locations, the appointment of a Freedom of Information Officer, and the city’s increased engagement internationally were also part of Ludwig’s program overview.

With this “future program” the current challenges are faced, but also far-reaching considerations are made so that Vienna remains a livable and cosmopolitan city, “in which cohesion and unity are capitalized”.

In his first speech as Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Education, Vienna’s NEOS Chief Christoph Wiederkehr stressed that he was delighted with the “historic alliance that has never existed in Austria”. So he pointed out that you probably won’t always agree with the SPÖ coalition partner or the other parties. “But that’s what makes democracy live,” he said.

The current moment is difficult: “It is a time of great challenges. The crisis in the crown hits us all.” Vienna school children, parents and employers are affected. “But also the employees who have to tremble for their jobs.”

The common goal is to advance “our beautiful Vienna” even further. The hand reached out to the opposition. He also sees himself as an advocate for Viennese classrooms. Too often, children are left behind. “I also want to open the door to children’s dreams.” Take advantage of much of what has already been created, for example in free kindergarten or full-time non-contributory schools. Also in the realm of integration is about identifying and solving problems and not letting them “escalate” to benefit politically, Wiederkehr said.

Wiederkehr also mentions the terrorist attack in Vienna, “which still gives us chills.” No city in the world is immune from these attacks. “The response that Vienna had was the response of solidarity.” One should not be intimidated if liberal democracy is attacked. “However, it was also a wake-up call for the population to be aware and stay together.”

The head of the Vienna FPÖ, Dominik Nepp, had few friendly words prepared for the new government. The former deputy mayor and now non-executive councilor referred to the dessert that was served at the coalition talks, Punschkrapfen, and quoted from Wikipedia: Punschkrapfen would sometimes serve as leftover biscuit products that have gone stale, and the national crowd to It often hides an old flavor.

“They come here and they think it is a great success. Actually, it is a leftover of red-green that they serve here. That is why we rejected this government agreement,” Nepp said. The cable car to the “Soros Elite University” is a “crazy idea”. The coalition document consists solely of air and declarations of intent. He also criticized the ÖVP. Its main candidate, Gernot Blümel, said goodbye to city politics at a “record pace”.

For the Greens, from now on the opposition party, the new councilor Peter Kraus was the first to speak. He saw a lot of extrapolation in the red and pink government program. “A lot relates to the last ten years,” Kraus said, referring to the red-green era. During this time, Vienna has always been voted the most livable city in the world: “That is a high benchmark against which the red-rose coalition will have to prove itself.” Because no one should rest on their laurels.

Kraus announced that the Greens would be a reliable partner when it comes to fighting extremism and exclusion. At the same time, the city government must expect ecological resilience when it comes to fossil fuel extraction – keyword: Lobau tunnel or third runway at Schwechat airport. Kraus feared that it is now easier for the SPÖ to implement it with the NEOS.

Markus Wölbitsch, president of the ÖVP club, viewed NEOS in particular with derision. After reading the government program, he realized why everyone in the SPÖ was so happy. According to his analysis, the reds would have thrown the pink on the table: “If you are already inclined towards coalition negotiations, you can only come out as a political dwarf.”

In this sense, “Comrade Wiederkehr” now translates the letter combination NEOS as “Well, finally, overtly social democratic,” Wölbitsch speculated. Among other things, the liberalization of store opening hours or help measures for entrepreneurs, which the Pinkies often called for in the past, were missed.

> Current news about the coalition in Vienna (opens in a new tab) “>>> Current news about the coalition in Vienna