ESC: Emmerling Wants Temporary Sunday Opening

In an interview on the ORF program "Wien Heute," she recommended a temporary regulation during this time. The three shows will take place on May 12 and 14 (semi-finals) and on May 16, 2026 (final). May 14 coincides with Ascension Day, a public holiday.

Opening on Thursday and Sunday would provide the opportunity to "truly capture" the added value, Emmerling pointed out. Tourists would not only want to buy souvenirs. Discussions about a possible implementation would also need to include social partners, she emphasized.

Special Regulation During the Football European Championship

Debates about opening shops on Sundays have been ongoing in Vienna for many years. Demands in this direction usually concern a possible tourism zone regulation. A special permit has also been granted once before: During the 2008 Football European Championship, trade was allowed to open on Sunday, although some sectors were excluded.

There are already plans for a general opening aside from the debate about the Song Contest. SPÖ and NEOS have agreed in the current government program that at least owners should be allowed to stand in their shops on Sundays. Negotiations with social partners have also been announced here. Recently, the President of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce, Walter Ruck, has spoken out in favor of a general opening of shops on Sundays and public holidays.

The union countered that the vast majority of employees in retail oppose such a step. The office of Economic City Councillor Barbara Novak (SPÖ) also emphasizes that Sunday opening is currently "not an issue" - apart from the position agreed upon in the coalition paper.

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(APA/Red)

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