ÖVP wants to end 25 years of "left-left" politics in Vienna election

In the Vienna election on April 27, the ÖVP should perform so well that there is "no way around it," according to the election goal of top candidate Karl Mahrer. In an APA interview, he advocated for more "political balance" in the city and once again offered himself as a coalition partner to the SPÖ. Regarding the Wienwert case, in which he is accused, Mahrer reaffirms his "clear conscience." Whether convicted politicians resign is their decision.

Polls before Vienna election do not intimidate Mahrer

Polls currently predicting a halving for the ÖVP are merely an "interesting measuring instrument" for Mahrer. According to the APA election trend, which considers surveys from the last five weeks, the People's Party in Vienna is currently at about ten percent. The decision in the voting booth would count. If voters want solutions for problems in Vienna, the ÖVP is the only right address, Mahrer is sure. In the government negotiations, he wants to convince the SPÖ of his party as a coalition partner.

"Change of direction" in Vienna only with ÖVP

After 25 years of "left-left" politics by the SPÖ, Greens, and most recently NEOS in Vienna's governments, a "change of direction" and "political balance" is needed in the city. He criticized, for example, the relatively high social assistance in Vienna. People no longer understand why rejected asylum seekers receive 1,200 euros in minimum security, while in the surrounding federal states there is only basic provision. He also knows many Social Democrats among whom the course of the Vienna SPÖ is controversial, he said regarding the question of why the SPÖ should choose the ÖVP for government formation despite differing views.

German language deficits among migrant children are a thorn in Mahrer's side

A problem Mahrer wants to solve is the lack of German language skills among many children. Every second child starting elementary school does not understand their teachers. The ÖVP chairman identifies a failure in German language support in kindergartens, where there are too few language support staff and not always German-speaking employees. "I do not accept that there is no staff," he said, "and yes, it will also cost money." For example, the police prove that with recruitment measures, appropriate pay, and appreciation, much can be achieved in the face of staff shortages. The city, which is forecasted to have a deficit of 3.8 billion euros in 2025, could save through administrative reform and debureaucratization. Additionally, the "funding jungle" must be cleared.

Subsidies for kindergartens should be linked to whether they contribute to learning the German language. In a German language promotion plan, the ÖVP also calls for a language assessment for three-year-olds and three years of mandatory kindergarten for all who do not speak sufficient German. Language is also related to Mahrer's favorite topic, security. Vienna is now the city in Central Europe with the highest youth unemployment, he said, attributing this to a lack of reading, writing, and arithmetic skills after compulsory schooling. Youth gangs consist of "minors and young people who simply have no perspective and no hope."

Police as "only the fire extinguisher" in security

The ÖVP chairman complains about increased youth and violent crime as well as violence in schools. He does not want to accept that Vienna is repeatedly titled the most livable city. "We should ask fewer congress visitors and tourists whether they like certain beautiful sights of the city. Let's ask the Viennese." For this, a regular survey of the feeling of security is needed. Mahrer wants to address insecurity with more lighting, more police officers on the streets, and a city watch. However, the police are "ultimately only the fire extinguisher," and a consistent integration policy is needed.

Clear conscience in the Vienna Wert case

In a video two years ago, Mahrer complained that Syrians, Afghans, and Arabs had taken over the Brunnenmarkt. The ÖVP chairman stated that isolated communities should not be present in housing complexes or markets, according to his understanding of successful integration. Parallel societies and "no-go areas" must be prevented. Although the latter do not yet exist in Vienna, there are developments in this direction.

In the Vienna Wert case, Mahrer will have to answer in court due to an indictment on suspicion of contributing to breach of trust. He emphasized again that he has a clear conscience and trust in the courts. But should politicians generally resign if convicted? "That is the decision of the respective politician," said the ÖVP chairman, who does not believe that the case will have an impact on the election.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.