Survey after criticism

How good and hard-working are our politicians?

"Too many SPÖ seats empty," is the ÖVP's criticism in Burgenland. The absence of the provincial government is also criticized according to the minutes.

(Bild: Grammer Karl/Karl Grammer)

The decisive factor is a skirmish in the last session of parliament. It is not the already very critical citizens who are currently asking themselves this question, but those affected themselves - a dispute in the state parliament. 

The trigger was a fierce battle of words between the ÖVP and SPÖ in the last session on Thursday. As reported, ÖVP parliamentary group leader Markus Ulram had pointed out that the government bench was not always full. After the obvious criticism of the work ethic, SPÖ party leader Roland Fürst launched a counter-attack. The Red Party member railed against the Turkish mandataries who had signed out of the meeting at midday.

Several justifications
A funeral and a visit to the community day in Oberwart were the reasons given. According to Section 17, every member of parliament is obliged to attend the meetings of the provincial parliament and the committees to which they are elected. "The mandatary must accept every election that falls to him. Parliament may release them from this obligation for valid reasons," is the official statement.

Lack of presence
The ÖVP refers to the frequently voiced criticism that "the red government bench is empty most of the time". All opposition parliamentary groups have been complaining about a lack of presence for five years now. "Governor Hans Peter Doskozil, his deputy and the three SPÖ state councillors receive more than 1.1 million euros per year. They don't show up often enough for this salary," ÖVP regional managing director Patrik Fazekas had already complained in a post in spring 2023.

(Bild: Grammer Karl/Karl Grammer)

30th complaint
"If the governor gets up from his seat, the other party members immediately follow him. This is the case in every parliamentary session," another critical comment is made. The complaints are recorded in black and white in the meeting minutes. The 30th complaint in this term of office came from an SPÖ MP of all people. At 9.15 p.m. on Thursday, he wanted to praise the responsible SPÖ provincial councillor for the fact that the newly established disaster relief service was working well: "But unfortunately the provincial councillor has already left."

SPÖ counters
"He was out for a short time, just like others," replies the SPÖ. "The ÖVP has not yet understood that there is a difference between government and parliament. While members of parliament are obliged to attend, members of the government have the right to attend. As a rule, there is not a single ÖVP government member in the National Council," countered Fürst.