Burka Ban, Fines, Termination: This is How Lower Austria Fights Radical Islam

"We are doing everything a country can do to curb radical Islam," emphasized VP Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner at a press conference. "Anyone who works against our values must feel the consequences," said her deputy Udo Landbauer (FPÖ).

Burqa Ban in State Service, Termination for "Extremist Tendencies"

Mikl-Leitner announced, among other things, a "prophylactic" burqa ban. So far, there has been no case. "But it is also not forbidden." They want to close this gap with a new reason for termination in state service law. Full veiling is a sign of the oppression of women and has "no place in a liberal, democratic country," said the ÖVP politician.

The State Civil Servants Act will also "clarify that religiously fanatical or extremist tendencies constitute a serious breach of duty and lead to dismissal," said Mikl-Leitner. Examples she mentioned include visiting a radical mosque, if hate speeches are held or basic values are not recognized. People who are active in radical Islamic associations or organizations should be "removed from state service," said Landbauer.

Nicholas and Martini will be Anchored in the Education Plan

Traditions such as Nicholas and Martin's festival will be anchored in the Lower Austrian education plan for kindergartens in the future. In addition, the teaching of values such as equality of women and men, democratic processes or peaceful conflict resolution will be emphasized even more, said Mikl-Leitner. Lower Austria is "a country of traditions and values" and "we will not bow to anyone," emphasized Landbauer.

The governor also announced changes to the Lower Austrian Kindergarten Act. The maintainer can issue a house rule in the future. The state provides a model for this - also for compulsory schools. The obligation of parents to participate is being expanded. Administrative penalties of up to 2,500 euros are threatened if legal guardians refuse the mandatory conversation.

Mikl-Leitner Calls for Headscarf Ban Until the Age of 10

The cross remains important in kindergartens, schools and hospitals, Mikl-Leitner further emphasized. She called on the federal government to pass a law requiring crosses to be affixed in publicly accessible institutions and buildings.

"What we have been vehemently demanding from the federal government in the school sector for many months, we are implementing in the state," Mikl-Leitner stated. She demanded a constitutional law that prescribes a headscarf ban for girls up to the age of ten. They will continue to push for more parental involvement in schools. Landbauer believes that the Islam law needs to be tightened at the federal level.

Observation Centre and State Security Council to be Established

An observation centre for radical Islam in Lower Austria is being set up. An annual report is planned. The observation centre will be "the key to depriving political Islam of its breeding ground and, subsequently, to systematically isolate and push back these organisations," said Landbauer: "We must stop those who want to destroy our way of life."

A State Security Council will also be installed under the chairmanship of the governor. The committee is to be convened in crisis situations and consist of representatives from the state government, state police directorate and state office for the protection of the constitution and combating extremism (LSE). A State Security Council already exists in Upper Austria, for example.

"No Place for Islamists in Lower Austria"

Humanity, solidarity, peace, justice, openness, tolerance, but also traditions, values and customs are to be included in the state constitution as objectives. The implementation of the measures will begin "immediately", with the majority to be completed by summer, Mikl-Leitner said in response to a question. The message of the action plan is: "There is no place for Islamists in Lower Austria," the governor stated.

The "advance of political Islam" is the "greatest danger" to coexistence and the safety of the population," said Landbauer. "It would be unrealistic to believe that there is no connection between the problem of Islamism and the problem of migration." Radical tendencies must be deprived of their breeding ground from the start. "We in Lower Austria are putting an end to misunderstood tolerance. We do not tolerate parallel and counter-societies. Simply put: our rules apply in our country," the Freedom Party member explained.

SPÖ state party chairman Sven Hergovich criticised that the action plan contained "toothless and vague measures". He also referred to the red demand for a ban on radical Islamism.

(APA/Red)

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