Campaign Speech by Ludwig: "Vienna Remains the Countermodel"
The SPÖ officially started the election campaign on Tuesday with a speech by its state party leader, Mayor Michael Ludwig. During the appearance at an event location, Ludwig once again set the goal of wanting to achieve the result of 2020 again. At that time, the SPÖ had reached 41.6 percent. He also revealed initial plans for the next legislative period. Announced were plans for the Otto Wagner area, which is now to become a university campus after all.
Ludwig wants to repeat last result in Vienna election 2025
"We are still significantly away in the polls," Ludwig noted, referring to the result five years ago. He drew a positive balance of the ending period. "Did we succeed in everything? Not everything, but very much." He referred to implemented projects in the areas of labor market policy, security, environment, or housing. Mentioned were also the new free all-day school and steps to secure the care system. The conditions were "extremely difficult," Ludwig emphasized.
Vienna as a "countermodel" to right-wing populism
He mentioned here the Corona pandemic, the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, and the accompanying energy crisis and inflation. In addition, we are in a recession, Ludwig stressed. The domestic political situation was also challenging. The federal government had not implemented a gas price and rent price cap. This had led to right-wing populists benefiting from these conditions. "We accept this challenge, historically we have been the countermodel to such phenomena."
In stormy seas, it is important to stay the course with a "cool head." Vienna did not increase rents and also showed what it could achieve, the city leader emphasized. The millennium flood of 2024 was well overcome, for example. The flood protection proved its worth. He was also satisfied with the economic development: "Last year, we were the only federal state with economic growth."
MUK Location Planned at Otto Wagner Area
Today, concrete plans for the Otto Wagner area were also announced: The largely unused hospital grounds on Baumgartner Höhe are to become a university campus for the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna (MUK). The pavilions are to be adapted for various educational areas such as music, dance, or singing. Recently, the city had attempted to settle the Central European University (CEU), but it ultimately decided against relocating.
"I believe this will be one of the major future projects for the next legislative period," promised the Vienna SPÖ leader in his campaign speech. A new, magnificent cultural center will be created on the site. In the education sector, a project for young people with psychological problems or illnesses was presented. So-called rehab classes are intended to enable students to reintegrate into everyday school life after psychiatric therapy.
Requests were also made to the federal government - for example, in the area of citizenships. Ludwig advocated for rethinking and possibly lowering economic barriers here. "I would see that as part of social justice." People who work in care or cleaning, for example, often have no chance of obtaining citizenship due to the prescribed minimum income, he noted.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.