New law

S-Link consultation causes discussion in the state parliament

(Bild: S-Link)

The SPÖ fears possible voter migration in the vote on the major Salzburg project and votes against updating the referendum law.

The planned referendum on the S-Link is casting its shadow. The referendum law, which is to be adapted to the state parliament election regulations, was on the agenda in the state parliament on Wednesday. The SPÖ did not vote, although the governing parties would like unanimous decisions on questions of democracy. The stumbling block: the amendment means that polling cards cast on election day in a municipality other than the home municipality are counted towards the result of the other municipality.

The SPÖ voted against the referendum law.

(Bild: Tröster Andreas)

The SPÖ fears the possibility of manipulation if a municipality has linked its decision to the result of the referendum. Just as the city of Salzburg did with the S-Link. It would be possible for citizens from other municipalities to distort the results of the City of Salzburg or vice versa, the SPÖ argues. This also applies in particular to other future, smaller surveys in several municipalities. The governing parties do not see this danger. The overall result remains unchanged regardless of where the polling card is handed in and the regulation is a service for voters with a polling card. Interestingly, the amendment does not yet create the possibility of a poll in several districts.

Provincial politics takes stock of one year of black-blue
The morning's topical hour was already all about taking stock. "One year of black-blue" was the topic proposed by the SPÖ. Krone readers had already pointed out the government's failings and put forward their ideas weeks ago, much more accurately than the opposition parties. SPÖ leader David Egger accused Schwarz-Blau of increasing housing prices, a worsening care crisis and traffic jams.

Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) saw this as a limited view. "This is political tunnel vision. To be on the safe side, close your eyes so that you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel," Haslauer replied.