2023-10-10 22:02:43
On Tuesday evening on “Puls 24”, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler once once more condemned the actions of the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas in its attack on Israel. He spoke of a “medieval-style massacre.” Regarding pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Vienna, for example, he said that the right to demonstrate applies, but he assumes that the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is keeping a “close eye” on them – especially if there are connections to terrorists.
The Green Party leader explained at the private broadcaster’s “Citizens’ Forum” on the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that he was of the opinion that one might have a different opinion – but the limit was where Hamas symbols were used. “This is a terrorist organization.” It’s not just what’s happening in Israel that’s disturbing, “but also that it’s being applauded,” said the Vice Chancellor. He spoke out in favor of a two-state solution, which, however, has been torpedoed for decades, for example by Iran.
When asked regarding the “total blockade” of the Gaza Strip announced by Israel, Kogler said that one must first look at what steps are actually being taken (by Israel, note). Since Hamas is “intervening” between the civilian population, this is “a difficult operation.” However, it is important to take the questions of humanity and minimum care into account. In any case, it would not be possible if the entire area were actually cut off “from everything”. “Palestinian children also have a right to life,” emphasized Kogler.
Aside from this, the Vice Chancellor was discussed with classic Green topics by moderator Corinna Milborn and a few regulars. On the question of e-mobility, the head of the eco-party pointed out that a lot of research into batteries is happening in Europe, and Austria is one of the countries that only wants to generate energy from renewable sources in 2030. He also referred to steps that have already been taken: the expansion of photovoltaics is progressing “like never before” and wind power is being expanded at an accelerated pace.
Nevertheless, when asked by a young guest, Kogler had to admit that dependence on Russian gas cannot be completely ended before 2027. However, the Green Party leader sees responsibility for this in the past and outside of the Green Party: “Various parties” have ensured that the dependence on Russian gas has increased significantly. But the gas storage facilities are full and winter is guaranteed, he emphasized once once more.
Regarding the sharply increased prices and the upcoming wage negotiations, Kogler said there would be temporary restrictions “here or there.” But there is a prospect that things will look up once more. The minister responsible for civil servants said that when it comes to civil servant salary negotiations, one would “do well” to conclude in a similar way to those in the private sector, referring to the labor shortage.
For Kogler, the corona pandemic is not over, as he said in response to questions from a mother of someone affected by Long Covid. “Unfortunately, you have to realize that many more are affected than many people would like,” he said. “From that point of view, Corona is not over,” but there is now an attempt to find a “different approach.” “Long Covid is still hanging over us from the first and second virus variants – and we honestly don’t know what the current (variants) can still trigger.” Kogler explained that Long Covid outpatient clinics are being closed by saying that those affected should go to specialists who specialize in the specific complaints. At the same time, he admits that it is still early days on this topic.
On the subject of gender identity, Kogler said that a regulation like the one in Germany, where changing the first name and gender entry was recently made easier (without a medical certificate), was currently “not the issue”. He clearly defended gender: “What does gender mean? That I express in different ways that there are women and men. If women and men have equal rights, that should also be expressed in the language.”
The Vice Chancellor concluded with Chancellor Karl Nehammer’s (ÖVP) “Burger Gate”: He had already made it clear that Nehammer’s language at an event in August, in which the Chancellor commented on women working part-time and child poverty, “passes past the reality of life for many, many women.” “Yes, we criticized that, the Chancellor will explain himself, my excitement is over.”
Kogler wants a new regulation in this legislative period when it comes to ORF. It was only on Tuesday that the Constitutional Court (VfGH) judged the regulation on the composition of the ORF Foundation and Audience Council to be partially unconstitutional, and the ORF law must therefore be repaired by March 2025. “If our group has its way,” then this repair will take place before the new elections in autumn 2024.
So far, three episodes of the Citizens’ Forum have taken place with Kogler’s appearance. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler and NEOS chairwoman Beate Meinl-Reisinger had already had their turn before Kogler. FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl would have been scheduled to be the third party, but declined to take part: he said he would rather take part in real tavern discussions. That’s what Kogler would like to do too: He invited the discussants live on the show to arrange a pub round in a bar near his ministry in Vienna’s third district.
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