Lower Austria Enacts Legislative Package Against Radical Islam

In a decisive move, the Lower Austrian Parliament has approved a legislative package aimed at combating radical Islam. The vote, which took place during a parliamentary session on Wednesday, garnered support from the ÖVP (Austrian People's Party), FPÖ (Freedom Party of Austria), and SPÖ (Social Democratic Party of Austria). Notably, amendments related to kindergartens received separate votes and were backed by the Green Party and NEOS (New Austria and Liberal Forum).

Starting September 1, the obligations of parents with kindergarten-aged children will be expanded. Parents who repeatedly violate requirements, such as refusing mandatory parent-teacher meetings, could face fines of up to EUR2,500. Additionally, kindergarten operators will have the authority to establish house rules.

Another significant aspect of the legislative package is the introduction of a ban on face coverings in public service roles. The legislation also aims to enshrine democratic values, traditions, and customs in the state constitution.

After prolonged negotiations with the ÖVP regarding the constitutional amendments, the SPÖ ultimately supported the changes. The party emphasized the importance of demonstrating a firm stance against intolerance in society. The NEOS criticized the initiative as mere 'show politics', while the Green Party expressed concerns that the legislative changes, aside from those concerning kindergartens, do not align with the realities faced by the community.

Furthermore, a supplementary motion was approved, calling on the federal government to establish a constitutional law prohibiting headscarves for girls under the age of 14 and to enforce stricter parental involvement in the educational sector.

In a related discussion, the proposed construction of a new hospital in Wiener Neustadt was also a focal point of the parliamentary agenda. The estimated cost for the project has surged from the initial EUR562 million approved in 2019 to EUR1.47 billion. This increase is attributed to rising construction costs and the addition of new functionalities to the facility.

According to health plan projections, the new hospital will serve as one of two central clinics in Lower Austria alongside St. Pölten. While the original completion date was set for 2028, it has now been postponed to no earlier than 2034 or 2035. The NEOS expressed concerns over what they describe as a 'cost explosion' and poor planning, while the Green Party is advocating for a reevaluation of potential alternative sites for the new hospital.