National Fund Reform Decided: Rosenkranz Can Be Replaced

A constitutional provision allows the President of the National Council to be represented in the Board of Trustees of the National Fund by the Second or Third President. The Second President, currently Peter Haubner (ÖVP), can be elected as chairman by the main committee if requested by the political members of the Board of Trustees. If there are objections to the Second President, the Third President could also be appointed.

FPÖ Criticizes National Fund Reform

The FPÖ rejected the proposal. Member of Parliament Markus Tschank saw an "ideological instrumentalization of historical responsibility." It is a deeply anti-democratic attack on the rule of law principles of the Republic - committed by the "coalition of rainbow parties." For Tschank, it is a dishonest and insinuating act. The culture of remembrance is not reserved for certain parties but is a collective task of politics. The Greens had originally initiated the legislative proposal and are accordingly satisfied with today's decision. The acting club chairwoman Sigrid Maurer emphasized that Rosenkranz could withdraw himself. Since there are no indications of this, there is now the possibility to entrust "someone else, someone impeccable" with this task.

National Fund Reform: NEOS and SPÖ Refer to Victim Associations

NEOS club vice-chairman Nikolaus Scherak said it perverts the tasks of the fund if those concerned say they cannot participate with a chairman Rosenkranz. The President himself said he was considering being represented. Now they are trying to create the legal possibility for this. From the SPÖ side, Member of Parliament Muna Duzdar emphasized that there is a historical responsibility towards the victims of National Socialism. Therefore, it must be ensured that the National Fund can work properly: "And if the victim associations say they will no longer participate as long as Rosenkranz is chairman, we are obliged to act." VP member Wolfgang Gerstl emphasized that they had sought dialogue with Rosenkranz and the FPÖ had all the opportunities to make an alternative proposal. The criticism of the President may be perceived as unfair from his side, but he is a member of a striking fraternity and has written articles for right-wing extremist media.

Pröll Announces New Strategy Against Anti-Semitism

Before the debate on the National Fund, the government report on the national strategy against anti-Semitism was debated, which was accepted by all parties. It was drafted by the former responsible former Minister of the Chancellery, Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP). Her task has been taken over by State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) in the new government. In his inaugural speech before the National Council, he announced a new strategy against anti-Semitism for this year. In addition, the first steps towards the establishment of a Holocaust museum are to be taken.

(APA/Red)

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