State parliament session

FPÖ-Darmann: “We won’t let our mouths be shut”

The sun shines brightly on the Landhaus in Klagenfurt, while the last parliamentary session before the summer break takes place inside.

(Bild: Steiner Clara Milena)

The last session of the state parliament before the summer break has been eagerly awaited over the past few days and weeks - as expected, the Energy Transition Act was passed. "Stop this law", demanded the FPÖ, while the ÖVP accused the Freedom Party of "myths and untruths".

This time, the FPÖ dominates the current hour: "More direct democracy in far-reaching decisions for our homeland" is the chosen topic. "The right comes from the people", is written on exhibitors, which the blue MPs place on their desks in good time.

Party leader Erwin Angerer even takes his exhibitor to the lectern: "What a politician should never have is fear of the people, fear of the sovereign. The people are the sovereign and the sovereign has to decide on this matter," he begins his speech, referring to the Energy Transition Act and the controversial wind turbines.

Wind turbines, PV and co.: referendum called for
As reported, the Blue Party wants to vote against the amendment, which is to be passed in the provincial parliament on Thursday. The SPÖ, ÖVP and Team Kärnten have announced that they will vote in favor. "This intervention in our nature" cannot be "decided alone", said Angerer - who wants a referendum on the issue: "An appeal to the governor: stop this law, pull the emergency brake!"

"The law comes from the people," the FPÖ wants to make clear on Thursday.

(Bild: zVg)

SPÖ parliamentary group leader Herwig Seiser sees a change of opinion among the FPÖ - and quotes the blue party leader Herbert Kickl, who demanded in 2019 that the law should follow politics, not the other way around: "In your opinion, the law does not come from the people," says Seiser.

ÖVP party chairman Markus Malle accuses the Freedom Party of working with "myths and untruths", echoing his party colleagues Deputy Governor Martin Gruber, Energy Commissioner Sebastian Schuschnig and Herbert Gaggl, Chairman of the Energy Committee in the provincial parliament. They had already tackled the issue on Monday.

600 wind turbines in Carinthia: "Simply wrong"
The FPÖ will not be dissuaded: The population is called upon to get involved and take the decision away from those responsible, emphasizes MP Josef Ofner: "This is what was done "in our proud country in 1920 as well", he compares the current wind turbine discussion with the Carinthian referendum, which was preceded by the Abwehrkampf and in which the state affiliation of the southern parts of the country claimed by Yugoslavia was voted on.

Gruber calls the FPÖ's behavior "irresponsible": "What the population expects is a solidarity between the parties." A culture of "talking to each other" is needed, emphasizes Gaggl - he describes the 600 wind turbines repeatedly mentioned by the FPÖ, which are to be erected, as "simply wrong": "This is how you can create abuse of direct democracy, this is how you can jeopardize the future of Carinthia."

Instead, according to SPÖ MP Andreas Scherwitzl, people should listen to each other: "The most important instrument of democracy is elections. Democracy also means listening to each other and letting each other have their say."

FPÖ city party chairman Gernot Darmann finds clear words: "We Freedom Party members won't let our mouths be shut!" he says, accompanied by applause from his party colleagues. He asks the SPÖ and ÖVP how they intend to explain in future why there are "industrial wind turbines" on the Carinthian mountains: "I will talk to my children about who destroyed these mountains, our identity. And that's called backbone!"

Law passed, no referendum
"There is no pressure, no need to rush this through," Angerer tries once again in the afternoon to prevent the law from being passed. It is passed anyway - by the coalition of SP and VP as well as Team Carinthia. The law is intended to speed up and simplify official procedures for the construction of photovoltaic and wind power plants.

The referendum demanded by the Blue Party was rejected; instead there will be a referendum - this is possible with twelve signatures from FP and TC MPs.

The discussion was summarized by the 1st President of Parliament Reinhart Rohr (SP) as follows: "It could be more elegant and more qualified."