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The main committee of the National Council approved the new stricter lockdown on Sunday. In contrast to the “blocking light” of two weeks ago, only the ÖVP and Green government factions agreed. This time, the SPÖ refused to give consent because they refused to switch schools to distance education. NEOS and FPÖ are also lashing out against this measure. Unlike the blues, who are also against blocking, the reds and pinks believe that the emergency brake is necessary.
However, the main committee only has to approve the starting rules and provisions for the event area. The president of the ÖVP club, August Wöginger, showed little understanding towards the opposition and accused it of “irresponsible behavior”. The opposition “had not approved the regulation for reasons completely inexplicable to me”, although it was not about the schools at all. Evidently, the SPÖ was infected by the FPÖ.
The situation is “critical and delicate”, “I do not know how many cries for help from doctors and nurses are still needed”. Once again, he calls on the population to “stick together and persevere,” Wöginger said.
The extension of the exit restrictions is “drastic, but sadly necessary to save our health care system from collapse and therefore many people from death,” Green Club president Sigrid Maurer told the APA. . They appeal to “solidarity in this difficult time.”
Votes against SPÖ, FPÖ and NEOS
The leader of the SPÖ party, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, had already made it clear in advance that she did not agree with the package. Although he is also in favor of an “emergency brake”, he refuses to switch schools to distance education. “The data shows: school closures have little use and very significant side effects,” Rendi-Wagner criticized at a news conference. He also warned the government to “fly blind” toward a third shutdown.
“If nothing improves in the federal government’s management of the crown, shortly after the second lockdown we will see an increase in corona cases again, you cannot look at it that fast,” Rendi-Wagner warned of a third lockdown. Instead of the massive tests announced by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP), which would only bring a “snapshot”, systematic tests are needed for at-risk groups in nursing homes and elderly, health workers and teachers, demanded the head of the SP.
The SPÖ clearly rejects restrictions on the operation of schools. “Anyone can lock up, that’s not a great feat,” Rendi-Wagner said, criticizing the government’s neglect of developing “smart security concepts” for schools for months. Now children are threatened by an educational gap that they would have to carry around like a backpack for their entire lives. In addition, Rendi-Wagner referred to the latest AGES data, according to which the frequency of infection among high school students even increased after they switched to homeschooling and in which schools do not appear as “drivers of infection “.
“An emergency brake is needed, but it is by no means necessary to close schools in Austria,” Rendi-Wagner explained, so the SPÖ will not accept the stricter closure in the main committee of the National Council on Sunday evening. Because the ÖVP and the Greens have a majority there, the government does not depend on opposition votes anyway. Rendi-Wagner calls on the government to quickly ensure that the contact persons of infected people are properly traced: “That is flying blind, it is negligent and irresponsible.”
FPÖ: “The government did not provide answers”
FPÖ Deputy Chief Dagmar Belakowitsch rejected the charge of irresponsibility and accused the government of not tolerating criticism. The government factions reportedly responded to the “nervous” and “extremely sharp” questions. “The government did not respond to many questions.” Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens) had “little idea” of the massive tests announced today by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) for the entire population. “It is not clear what exactly will come. That was not entirely clear,” criticized Belakovich.
“The main committee was more than frustrating, there is no culture of discussion in the government.” She does not see the claim that there are no alternatives, because there are always alternatives. Specifically, the blues require that schools and small shops remain open.
FPÖ club president Herbert Kickl had previously played the same line. “The government has learned nothing,” he said, referring to the closure measures. Apparently, since the spring, people have put their hands in their laps and have not thought of anything. Now they resort to completely excessive means and lead Austria to ruin. Fundamental rights and freedoms are also being massively intervened once again.
All areas of life such as the economy, the labor market, culture, education and sport have already suffered massive and, to a large extent, irreparable damage. Relief funds are being paid slowly or not being paid. The situation is dramatic, but not mainly because of the corona virus, but because of incompetence, self-importance and resistance to the advice of the ÖVP and the Greens, according to Kickl.
NEOS makes opening schools a condition
Meanwhile, the NEOS were interested in joining forces, if only under certain conditions. In a letter to Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) and the government, party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger offered her parliamentary group approval, but only if schools remain open for teaching and not just for emergency care. Sending students to distance education is “a mistake”. The government alone did not respond to the proposal.
The planned measures refer to “massive violations of fundamental rights,” emphasized Meinl-Reisinger. “Again we have constitutional and constitutional concerns,” he said. He also had to “take note with regret that there is no willingness to cooperate, much less dialogue, of the government with the opposition regarding the measures and a clean rule of law design of the regulations.”
As a constructive opposition force, NEOS are now concerned with minimizing collateral damage, “putting education first and working for it from tomorrow so that we do not fall into the next lockdown early next year,” Meinl-Reisinger explained. If schools remained open for classes, “then we would also support everything else so that we can really close ranks,” Meinl-Reisinger offered to the government. (apa)
