Vienna, A government statement is always like the first practice test for a new coalition. The start of turquoise green in the National Council was overshadowed on Friday by an uproar caused by FP club boss Herbert Kickl (more on this below).
Kogler had a long speech. But initially the two coalition leaders made their appearance. Striking: The new old Chancellor Sebastian Kurz put it briefly and succinctly at 20 minutes, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler talked for more than half an hour – but that was to be expected.
Briefly reminded of distrust. His explanation could not start shortly after 9 a.m. without recalling the bitterest moment of his career, the SPÖ vote of no confidence, which cost him the office in June 2019.
In short, not entirely without satisfaction: “The last time I was allowed to sit on the government bench was the day of the vote of no confidence. It is a great honor to be here again today. ”
Point by point. Then Kurz reeled off point by point: First of all thanks to all of the interviewees (including the FPÖ who did not thank him later): From point 1 (tax cut) to migration and care to point 6, climate protection. Then praise for all his ministers.
Kogler this time without a quail. Kogler picked up the ball, expressly welcomed Justice Minister Alma Zadic, who was facing death threats (see box on the right). Speaker-veteran Kogler – otherwise available for every stunner – tried this time in his new role as Vice-Chancellor in a particularly state-bearing manner: after yesterday’s speech, you can’t blame him for being a joke chancellor. After all, Kogler said plainly: Yes, a CO2 tax will come, yes, even “big stinkers (SUVs) will become more expensive. The bosses were done in less than an hour – and the opposition had its word.
Wrap with kickl: FP club boss causes the first scandal
First it was the government’s turn to introduce itself, then the opposition was allowed to criticize.
© APA / HERBERT NEUBAUER
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While SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner remained objective and offered the new government “cooperation on an equal footing”, FPÖ club boss Herbert Kickl made the most of his speech. The blue attacked turquoise-green massively and also took on the President of the National Council.
Call to order. So he got an order from Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) because he called the Documentation Archive of the Austrian Resistance (DÖW) a “communist camouflage organization”. Upon request, Kickl was not prepared to withdraw the statement. A minute later, Sobotka had to interrupt him again: he had called ORF employees “bigwigs” – but he took that back.
Then it hit Federal President Van der Bellen, who was sitting in the bleachers. Kickl attacked him that the ÖVP had received both security departments, “you have to agree with your conscience.”
Günther Schröder
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Zadic: Cobra also accompanies Minister on the subway
Zadic was accompanied by Cobra in parliament too. Greens want to fight back.
© APA / HERBERT NEUBAUER
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Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, as head of government, must receive permanent protection for the elite police officers of the Cobra unit. The specialists are always at his side, both at home and abroad.
The same has been true for the Greens since Tuesday, when Alma Zadic was sworn in as Minister of Justice. After all, the right-wing extremist online attacks and insults hailed death threats against the country’s first green justice minister. Specifically, it is protected around the clock by three Cobra officers. They accompanied them to Parliament yesterday as well as on their underground or tram rides.
Green Party spokesman Werner Kogler said in AUSTRIA: “We will defend ourselves.” He has generally been observing hate campaigns online for some time. Countermeasures had to be taken in good time, because they would threaten democracy. (isa)
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