Multi-million euro project in Lower Austria

Four-party decision for the new state parliament hall

After 27 years and more than 300 sessions, the Lower Austrian state parliament chamber is in need of renovation.

(Bild: Imre Antal)

Lower Austria needs a new state parliament. But it is not new elections that are on the agenda in the vast state, the assembly hall in the St. Pölten government district needs to be renovated. The go-ahead for the extensive and multi-million euro undertaking is imminent, as was confirmed on Tuesday in a joint statement by the state parliament parties. Only one coleur was missing ...

Will Lower Austria now have a "luxury state parliament", or will the "heart of blue-yellow democracy" merely undergo a necessary renovation? The citizens will have to decide these questions for themselves. And they should! Because whatever the exact plans look like, it will be the "best controlled building site in the country", as Neos chairwoman Indra Collini asserted. This is because all steps will be monitored by the construction advisory board, which will include representatives of the provincial audit office as well as all five parliamentary groups.

We will ensure maximum transparency in the course of the renovation. All construction steps and the awarding of contracts will be published "live" on the Internet.

Indra Collini, Landessprecherin der Neos

Bild: Barbara Elser

In any case, the planned costs of eleven million euros are no cause for concern for Green Party leader Helga Krismer. For the same amount of money, five kindergarten groups could be built in her home town of Baden. In addition to accessibility for the deaf, hard of hearing and visually impaired, she also focuses on modern equipment. After all, after 27 years and more than 300 parliamentary sessions, the hall should soon be back to its former glory. But: "Believe me, this will not be a prestige project."

The people of Lower Austria should once again have easier access to democracy. This also includes modern equipment. What technology offers will also be implemented here.

Helga Krismer, Klubchefin der Grünen

Bild: CHRISTIAN DUSEK

What unites the opposition parties in green and pink is a side blow to the current state government. Despite all the work on the structural shell of the provincial parliament, internal renewal should not be forgotten, said both Krismer and Collini, alluding to various allegations of corruption against mayors of the People's Party.

"In the interests of Lower Austria"
With the joint resolution of principle, which was signed by the four party representatives present on Tuesday and which is also to be officially adopted at the next state parliament session on 21 March, the Freedom Party wants to show "that factual politics is possible with us", as club chairman Reinhard Teufel emphasizes. In addition to the aforementioned accessibility, he emphasized the thermal renovation of the glass fronts. The new hall should be sustainable and ecological. "A state parliament building outlasts many legislative periods and also individual political personalities," said the FPÖ mandatary. And: "With us, there will be no golden piano!"

It's a shame that SPÖ parliamentary group chairman Hannes Weninger is missing here today. But not because we have bullied him out, but because his party obviously wants to rake in some political small change.

Reinhard Teufel, Klubchef der FPÖ

Bild: APA/HANS PUNZ

The broad majority and the joint decision were also praised by ÖVP party chairman Jochen Danninger. He also found it "very regrettable" that the SPÖ was apparently not interested in reaching an agreement. "Even in the federal government, all parties managed to reach a unanimous decision to restructure the parliament. And you know how things are in Vienna," says Danninger. In fact, the unity of the black-blue coalition with the two minor parties, as cheerfully celebrated on Wednesday morning, is rather unusual. Commenting on the previously criticized size of the project, Danninger says: "It would be a prank if we only tackled accessibility now!"

I invite the members of the SPÖ to vote with us on the decision in principle on March 21. No one should shirk their responsibility here.

Jochen Danninger, Klubobmann der ÖVP

Bild: NLK Burchhart

For the fact that the SPÖ was absent from the press conference, the party was given plenty of words. Danninger, Teufel, Krismer and Collini accused the Social Democrats in different words and with varying degrees of vehemence of not wanting to take responsibility. The red state chairman Sven Hergovich in particular got his comeuppance.

"Major construction site is completely the wrong signal"
Of course, the SPÖ was there in spirit and sent out its statement shortly before the meeting in the Forum Landtag: Club leader Hannes Weninger criticized the "cost almost nothing" mentality in the course of the renovation. While they support overdue construction measures for accessibility, he described the planned major construction site as a completely wrong signal in times of inflation. "If the state finances don't fit at the front and back, there's nothing to splash out on," rhymes the Social Democrat. And would prefer to see more investment in affordable housing and free childcare.

Lower Austria likes being European champion. With 12 million for a new assembly hall, the state cannot be denied the golden medal. Everywhere else, the renovation work only cost a fraction of that.

Hannes Weninger, Klubchef der SPÖ

Bild: SPÖ NÖ

What happens now
In just under two weeks' time, the state parliament is expected to pass a resolution in principle for the renovation of the assembly hall. This will instruct the state government to carry out the work. "Then we'll get down to business," Danninger announced a quick call for tenders for the ideas and architectural competition. It is not yet clear when work will finally begin in the state parliament. However, the desired completion date of 2027 is fixed, so that at least one session of the current government term can still be held in the new, modern hall.