2023-11-02 17:28:25
Before the state governors’ conference taking place on Friday, the state leaders met with Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in Villach on Thursday afternoon for a working discussion. The main topics were the fight against the climate crisis, financial equalization but also the current geopolitical crises and challenges. The need for cooperation was emphasized, the Carinthia State Press Service said in a press release.
“Especially here in Carinthia, but also in the other federal states, we experienced devastating storm disasters last summer, which show us how urgently we need to do something,” said Van der Bellen about the fight against the climate crisis. The state governors could “make important contributions so that things can move forward quickly”.
Regarding the Future Fund, the new instrument within the framework of financial equalization, the Federal President said that it “makes sense to combine the use of tax money with clear goals in climate protection, but also in expanding childcare.” Above all, well-developed child care must be a major concern for society. In this regard, the state governors appealed for a joint approach with the federal government, “without paternalism and without one-sided excessive demands on states and municipalities” – financial equalization will also be one of the topics at the conference on Friday.
The global political situation – with the attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on Israel and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine – was also a topic. Carinthia’s Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ), currently chairman of the State Governors’ Conference, said: “It is our common task as politicians, as a community of solidarity, to do everything we can to further promote peace efforts.” Austria has a historical responsibility, “particularly with regard to the resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and worldwide.”
The current mood among the population and trust in politics were also discussed in Villach. Due to the great stress and uncertainty in the face of the many crises, democracy is also coming under pressure, says Van der Bellen: “The temptation to fall for populism is becoming greater.” Simple solutions are not a solution: “We have to work together across party lines – even if it can be strenuous, it’s the only way we can overcome challenges.” “Instability is becoming the new normal, uncertainty is becoming more and more widespread on many levels,” said Kaiser. Therefore, “political cooperation across all political and party lines” is needed.
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