No one is sacrosanct because of their function, said Kogler at the start of the new format “Open Questions” on Monday followingnoon. But the other thing is to accept institutions themselves. “If there are objections, please take them to court.”
Among other things, ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker raised the possibility of bias on the part of the judge. “These possible concerns that are being expressed are the subject of a clearly regulated appeal process. I would leave it there,” said Kogler. All he said to Stocker was: “General secretaries shouldn’t leave a certain corridor either.” Kogler did not dispute the fact that Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) did not condemn this approach: “We cannot take on guardianship for everyone.”
Further sanctions once morest Russia
Kogler also advocates further sanctions due to the Russian attack on the Ukraine out of. Although the measures taken so far are definitely effective, “they don’t work as well as they might because Western technology components keep reaching Russia.” This works more or less via “outside” routes. “We should tighten a screw there.”
However, this question is not that easy to answer legally, said the Vice Chancellor. For example, the question arises as to whether these new sanctions should be imposed on states or on companies and corporations that have to make sure what is actually happening with their goods. “We’re dealing with that, the EU is behind it.” Personally, he is of the opinion that there should be a mix of the two approaches.
Cannabis: Germany as a role model?
On the question of Legalization of cannabis For now, Kogler wants to look across the border to Germany, where a corresponding regulation has been decided. From the Greens’ point of view, they tend to agree with the position of the German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). Getting out of the black market will probably increase the quality of the products and, on the other hand, reduce the switch to harder drugs.
Kogler calmly saw the malice directed at the Green EU election top candidate Lena Schilling, which was unable to answer the question of whether Norway was an EU member. Schilling was surprised and also admitted that she had made a mistake. “My God, everyone makes mistakes.”
Kogler is not happy regarding the nomination of the former FPÖ and BZÖ politician Peter Westenthaler to the ORF Foundation Board. He considers his statements to be very questionable and a threat to democracy. Westenthaler meets the formal requirements for this, and there is also the selection mechanism of nomination by a parliamentary group, in this case the FPÖ. It will now become apparent in practice whether Westenthaler will demonstrate misconduct.
In the dispute over the Soil protection Kogler identified a match between the federal and state governments. The federal government agrees that quantitative goals are needed – but the states’ blockade stance at least has the positive side that it means they are admitting that nature conservation is a state matter.
New format “Open question”
In the new format, the Concordia Press Club, the Association of Parliamentary Editors and the Initiative for Quality in Journalism (IQ) want to give media representatives the opportunity to determine the topics on which they will interview personalities of political importance. It used to be quite easy for journalists to address every minister at the weekly Council of Ministers, for example. In the meantime, press conferences are being held followingwards at which concrete messages are announced, according to Claudia Dannhauser, chairwoman of the Association of Parliamentary Editors. In addition, background discussions are often invited to which only certain media are invited.
Image: (APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)
The model for “Open Asked” is the German Federal Press Conference – an association that organizes press conferences several times a week and invites politicians to attend. The new format will not take place that often in Austria – the aim is initially to have several events a year, moderated alternately by Christoph Kotanko (Oberösterreichische Nachrichten) and APA editor-in-chief Maria Scholl.
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