“That’s what’s fixed. Everything else is open,” she referred to the corresponding stipulations by ÖVP Chancellor Karl Nehammer in the ORF “press hour” on Sunday. She did not see her collaboration with the FPÖ in the state as a role model for the federal government.
- Speculations about the grand coalition:
After all, there are “a wide variety of government coalitions in the nine federal states, which means a wide variety of requirements. The situation is of course completely different at the federal level.” As far as Kickl’s rejection is concerned, she trusts Nehammer’s expertise: Accordingly, he is a security risk, as seen in his dealings with the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Combating Terrorism (BVT), has a different understanding of democracy and, as Interior Minister, “has shown that he it can’t”.
- Expectations for EU and National Council elections:
For her party, Mikl-Leitner was confident for both the EU and the National Council elections: “I think the chances are intact for a good result.” Nehammer praised her as a statesman, saying he was the right chancellor and also party chairman. This also applies after the People’s Party’s poor performance in the EU elections. “No matter how the elections turn out: Karl Nehammer will remain federal party chairman.” For the National Council elections, Mikl-Leitner expected that the election campaign would begin after the summer – “as it looks now.”
- Global impact on the state of the ÖVP:
Mikl-Leitner defended the payment card for asylum seekers currently promoted by the ÖVP against criticism. NGOs described this as “stigmatizing” and emphasized that those affected received such small amounts that transfers to their countries of origin were not an issue anyway. The payment card should make the basic service system even more efficient, says Mikl-Leitner, and if cash transfers are not an issue anyway, switching to benefits in kind should not be a problem either. “If you’re looking for protection, you’re looking for security, but certainly not for cash.” If someone comes for cash, they belong to a group that you don’t have to or want to provide for.
About the payment card:
She also defended controversial projects of her state government such as the Corona Fund. This is “a piece of the mosaic” to repair the rifts that arose during the pandemic in family and friends. The aim of the gender decree is only to prevent uncertainty in the administration as to how women should be made linguistically visible, namely through the couple form.
- Coming to terms with the corona pandemic:
- Gender decree and equality:
