After Terror in Villach: Carinthian State Parliament Demands Stricter Laws

After the terrorist attack in Villach, in which a 14-year-old died and five people were seriously injured, the Carinthian state parliament convened on Thursday for a special session on "security and asylum policy" demanded by the FPÖ. The speeches were characterized by demands for stricter laws - but also the hope that there would never be such an attack in Carinthia again.

At the beginning of the session, State Parliament President Reinhart Rohr (SPÖ), who personally knows two families of victims of the terrorist attack, addressed the deputies with cautionary words: "From these families, I know that they have experienced suffering and pain through media coverage. Especially through many posts and reactions on the internet, which only spread hate and incitement." Hate and incitement are "exactly the opposite of democracy and stability." "Those affected, the victims, their families, and friends should not be affected again by what is said here and the contributions to the debate," said Rohr.

"We Do Not Have the Duty to Accept Everyone"

FPÖ state party chairman Erwin Angerer said in his speech that it is "the constitutional obligation of a state to protect the population." Immediately afterward, he referred to Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP), who had announced a deportation program - but in reality, nothing of it was noticeable, as many more asylum seekers had arrived than had been deported. Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ) was shifting responsibility, as a "clear signal" could be sent from Carinthia. The SPÖ and the ÖVP in the National Council had also rejected an FPÖ motion for a ban on political Islam.

"It is no longer enough to just describe the problems. Existing laws must be consistently enforced and, if necessary, changed," began SPÖ club chairman Herwig Seiser in his contribution. Limiting immigration can only work on an international level. And the SPÖ has long since changed its stance on asylum and integration - even if political competitors see it differently and want to attribute a "welcoming culture" to the SPÖ that never existed. Persecuted people have the right to apply for asylum - "but we do not have the duty to accept everyone," said Seiser: "Especially not if our democracy is being destroyed."

After Terror Attack in Villach: "Nowhere in Carinthia Is It the Same as It Was"

ÖVP club chairman Markus Malle said the attack had "reached our heads, but also our hearts." Now it is time to act: "We must stand united as a society against such acts and give the population a sense of security back." What is out of place, however, is adding fuel to the fire: "Because that is the goal of the terrorists. They want to change the way we live. We must stand together against that." An "escalation of language, an even stronger hitting" only helps those who want to drive a wedge in the population. Any excessive measure would only further incite the community against the state. Malle called for prudence and responsibility: "Carinthia, Austria, and Europe need concrete measures that uphold our values."

"Nowhere in Carinthia is it the same as it was. It was a barbaric attack on our culture and our society," began Team Carinthia club chairman Gerhard Köfer. When he heard about the attack, he felt both anger - but also the hope that something like this would never happen again in Carinthia. Regarding the current asylum discussion, Köfer said: "What good is a cap if the potential danger has already been reached?" Every potential threat that has become noticeable should be "immediately deported."

For the further course of the session, corresponding motions from government and opposition parties were planned. Already on Wednesday, the SPÖ and ÖVP demanded stricter laws, some of which are also included in the government program of the new coalition at the federal level, such as a mandatory integration program, the monitoring of messenger services, and the fight against political Islam. On Thursday, the Carinthian FPÖ demanded, among other things, an "asylum stop" and the closure of all asylum homes in Carinthia.

No Indication of Accomplices

Meanwhile, it became known that there will continue to be increased police presence following the attack in Villach. However, they will "proceed with particular sensitivity," said Kaiser after a security summit on Thursday. In view of the current challenges, it was also emphasized that it is enormously important as a society to "put the we before the I again."

Kaiser emphasized the far-reaching global changes that are being intensively discussed in Brussels. Austria, and thus Carinthia, is directly affected by the current challenges. "We are in a new era," said Kaiser. The Carinthian police stated at the security summit that there are no indications of accomplices of the attacker.

Call for Objective and Constructive Debate

The summit also addressed the sometimes extreme comments and reactions in social networks and online forums. Often, criminally relevant content from severe insults to death threats is published there. Kaiser once again appealed for an "objective and constructive debate," which should be conducted "free from polemics and blame" especially with regard to the victims of Villach.

Deputy Governor Martin Gruber (ÖVP) emphasized the need to restore the population's sense of security. "Social cohesion is decreasing, which is strongly related to fear and insecurity," he said. These developments can only be countered with "determined and consistent measures." Regional Councillor Sara Schaar (SPÖ) informed that intensive work is being done on a Carinthian integration contract. In addition, all psychological emergency centers for young people remain open.

(APA/Red)

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