After Dispute Over German Courses: Vienna Considers Legal Action
Councillor Hacker stated to the "Kurier" (Tuesday edition) that his department is currently examining legal steps, as the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) is not fulfilling its obligation to offer enough German courses.
City Councillor Hacker sharply criticizes Austrian Integration Fund
"Although there is a law stating that the ÖIF must provide German courses, we as the city of Vienna have paid a total of 20 million euros for German courses," criticized the SPÖ politician again. The ÖIF had already rejected Hacker's criticism last week. Despite repeated requests, the Integration Fund has not been provided with a single specific case by the city council in which an eligible person did not receive a place in a German course, explained the Integration Fund. "This is all ridiculous. There is constant communication," countered Hacker. The administration is terribly slow, which is why it often takes weeks for Vienna to learn of delays.
ÖIF again rejects criticism from Vienna
The ÖIF once again firmly rejected the criticism on Tuesday. Every eligible person is offered a suitable place in a German course within a short time, it was stated in a statement. Despite multiple written requests, Hacker has not provided the ÖIF with a single specific case to date in which an eligible person did not receive a German course from the ÖIF. "Unlimited repetition opportunities for course dropouts, as demanded by Councillor Hacker, are neither acceptable nor effective from the ÖIF's perspective." Information on course dropouts is automatically transmitted to the city of Vienna on a daily basis, according to the Integration Fund.
It is "brazen" how Hacker tries to use his failure for his own profiling, criticized ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti in a statement. "The integration problem is definitely not due to a lack of German course places," said Marchetti, instead once again blaming the higher social benefits in Vienna and the lack of sanctions for those unwilling to integrate. Vienna is "a mecca for integration refusers." The chairman of the Vienna ÖVP, Markus Figl, also identified a "transparent distraction maneuver."
The FPÖ went even further. State party leader Dominik Nepp called Hacker a "total failure" and urged the ÖVP to finally support the blue motion of no confidence against Hacker. Instead of finally admitting his own failures, the city council demands "even more tax millions for courses that are in truth characterized by integration refusal, high dropout rates, and incidents of violence," said Nepp, demanding his resignation.
(APA/Red)
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