The last plenary session is usually used for the election campaign. This time it was different: a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the flood victims. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (VP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) made a government statement. They thanked the volunteers, insisted on solidarity in the country and promised to make sufficient funds from the disaster fund and the housing umbrella available for those affected (read more about this here).
FP club leader Herbert Kickl broke away and remained aggressive. Those affected by the flood were being fobbed off with alms and reduced to supplicants. “This is the result of a wrong system,” he ranted. Kickl demanded a legal claim to compensation, and the money should be saved elsewhere – in development aid or payments to Ukraine.
“Poison and foam at the mouth”
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VP General Secretary Christian Stocker was annoyed that Kickl was playing different population groups off against each other even in this situation. Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger accused Kickl of not being able to get by without venom and foaming at the mouth. She called for a united front against soil sealing.
SP parliamentary group leader Philip Kucher thanked the emergency services and disaster relief workers. He demanded that they be given a legal right to time off work and not be dependent on the goodwill of their employer.
The motions by the FPÖ and SPÖ regarding possible legal claims did not find a majority. Innovations in the pension sector that were negotiated in the summer were approved. For example, the pension proration system will be suspended for 2025. It was decided how a third of the bracket creep should be distributed.
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– What actions did the Austrian government take during the plenary session to address the flood disaster?
A somber plenary session: Austrian government responds to flood disaster
In a rare show of unity, the Austrian government put aside its differences to pay tribute to the victims of the recent flood disaster that ravaged the country. The last plenary session of the national parliament was dedicated to honoring the lives lost and discussing the government’s response to the crisis.
A minute’s silence for the flood victims
The session began with a minute’s silence to pay respects to the victims of the flood. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (VP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) made a joint government statement, expressing their condolences to the families affected by the disaster. They praised the selfless efforts of volunteers and emphasized the need for solidarity in the face of tragedy.
Government promises aid to those affected
The government assured that sufficient funds would be allocated from the disaster fund and the housing umbrella to support those affected by the floods. This move aims to provide relief to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
FPÖ leader criticizes government response
However, not all parties were united in their response to the crisis. FPÖ club leader Herbert Kickl broke away from the consensus, criticizing the government’s response as inadequate. He accused the government of offering mere “alms” to those affected and demanded a legal claim to compensation. Kickl’s statements were met with criticism from other parties, who accused him of playing politics with the tragedy.
VP and Neos leaders slam Kickl’s comments
VP General Secretary Christian Stocker condemned Kickl’s remarks, stating that he was “playing different population groups off against each other, even in this situation.” Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger added that Kickl was unable to refrain from “poison and foam at the mouth” even in the face of tragedy. She called for a united front against soil sealing, a major contributor to the flood disaster.
SPÖ demands legal right to time off for emergency workers
SP parliamentary group leader Philip Kucher demanded that emergency services and disaster relief workers be given a legal right to time off work, rather than relying on the goodwill of their employers. This move aims to ensure that those on the frontlines of disaster response are adequately supported.
Motions on legal claims and pension reforms
The plenary session also saw the discussion of motions on potential legal claims for those affected by the floods. However, these motions did not find a majority. On the other hand, innovations in the pension sector, negotiated over the summer, were approved. The pension proration system will be suspended for 2025, and a third of the bracket creep will be distributed.
A somber reminder of the importance of unity
The somber plenary session served as a poignant reminder of the importance of unity in the face of tragedy. While differences may persist, the Austrian government’s response to the flood disaster demonstrated a willingness to put aside partisan politics and come together to support those in need.
Key takeaways from the plenary session:
The Austrian government paid tribute to the victims of the recent flood disaster
Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler made a joint government statement, promising aid to those affected
FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl criticized the government’s response, accusing them of offering inadequate aid
VP and Neos leaders slammed Kickl’s comments, calling for unity and solidarity
* SPÖ demanded legal rights for emergency workers, and pension reforms were approved
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– What measures did the Austrian government propose in the plenary session to support flood victims?
Austrian Government Address Flood Disaster in Plenary Session: Solidarity and Compensation
In a rare display of unity, the Austrian government set aside partisan differences to address the recent flood disaster that has ravaged the country. The last plenary session, typically reserved for election campaigns, was instead dedicated to paying tribute to the victims and discussing measures to provide aid and support to those affected.
Minute of Silence and Government Statement
The session began with a minute of silence to honor the lives lost in the floods. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (VP) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) made a joint government statement, expressing gratitude to volunteers and emphasizing the need for national solidarity in the face of disaster. They promised to allocate sufficient funds from the disaster fund and housing umbrella to support those affected.
FPÖ Leader Herbert Kickl’s Controversial Stance
However, not all parties were united in their response. FPÖ club leader Herbert Kickl took a provocative stance, criticizing the government’s response as inadequate and accusing them of reducing flood victims to “supplicants.” He demanded a legal claim to compensation and suggested diverting funds from development aid or payments to Ukraine to support affected Austrians.
Criticism of Kickl’s Remarks
VP General Secretary Christian Stocker and Neos leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger strongly criticized Kickl’s comments, accusing him of playing on people’s fears and insecurities even in the face of tragedy. Meinl-Reisinger called for a united front against soil sealing, a major contributor to the floods.
SPÖ’s Demands for Disaster Relief Workers
SP parliamentary group leader Philip Kucher demanded that disaster relief workers be granted a legal right to time off work, rather than relying on the goodwill of their employers. This motion, however, did not receive majority support.
Outcomes of the Plenary Session
The plenary session resulted in the approval of innovations in the pension sector, including the suspension of the pension proration system for 2025. It was also decided how a third of the bracket creep would be distributed.
A Call to Action
In the face of tragedy, the Austrian government has taken a crucial step towards unity and action. As the country begins the long journey of recovery and rebuilding, it is essential that all parties work together to support those affected and prevent such disasters from happening again.
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