"You are to blame for mass rapes": FPÖ politician causes outrage

An integration debate at the beginning of the National Council session on Thursday followed usual patterns. The ÖVP, which had set the topic, demanded adherence to rules and efforts to establish oneself in society. The NEOS wanted a "joint effort" on integration, the SPÖ a mix of "promote and demand". The Greens felt there were insufficient offers for refugees, while the FPÖ, as always, demanded an "immediate stop to immigration".

Outrage over FPÖ Politician Steiner

While the first speaker from the Freedom Party, Hermann Brückl, spoke of a "complete shambles" in terms of integration and mainly accused the ÖVP of lacking credibility in asylum policy, his party colleague Christoph Steiner caused significantly greater outrage. Among other things, he accused the other parties of being "responsible for mass rapes". The result was indignation from the other factions. Green Party leader Werner Kogler accused the Freedom Party of behaving like "inciters of the people". National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ) ultimately issued Steiner a reprimand after reviewing the protocol.

The acting club chairwoman of the Greens, Sigrid Maurer, had previously stated that, of course, people should integrate quickly. However, this also requires the appropriate offers. These were lacking, and additionally, there was a sentiment that people were not being met positively. Here, one must ask what the ÖVP has actually achieved in the integration department, which it has been responsible for in recent years.

SPÖ Member for Lower Barriers to Citizenship

SPÖ Member Paul Stich promised that the government would focus on promotion, but also demand things. Immigrants must learn German as quickly as possible and then participate in the labor market. Once again, he insisted on lowering the financial barriers on the path to citizenship. Because with the current rules, for example, 80 percent of the cleaning staff in Vienna are excluded from democratic participation rights, even if they are well integrated.

NEOS club chairman Yannick Shetty demanded clear words in problem description, but also in the solution: "German is the key to successful integration, our values are non-negotiable, work is the engine for integration". If 90 percent of students in some Viennese schools do not speak German, this is as much a problem as the homophobic worldview of many students: "Anyone who looks away from this issue and downplays it becomes a political accomplice of those who create these problems."

ÖVP General Secretary: "Solid Craftsmanship is Needed"

The ÖVP had placed Secretary General Nico Marchetti in the political center right at the beginning of the "Current Hour". It is neither helpful to incite nor to downplay problems: "Solid craftsmanship is needed." He promoted planned measures such as the headscarf ban for children or financial consequences for parents who do not participate in their children's school success. Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) added: "Anyone who has a right to stay must actively strive for integration." Mere attendance at German courses will no longer be sufficient. Those who do not make an effort will also feel it financially.

(APA/Red)

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