Survey on S-Link

AK expert opinion: Regional limitation not permissible

The vote on the S-Link will take place on November 10.

(Bild: Markus Tschepp)

The referendum on the construction of the S-Link project scheduled for November 10 has once again been criticized. A report by the Chamber of Labor now considers the restriction to the districts of Flachgau, Tennengau and the city of Salzburg to be unlawful. 

A report by university professors Reinhard Klaushofer and Benjamin Kneihs concludes that the restriction of the referendum to three political districts - Flachgau, Tennengau and the city of Salzburg - is contrary to the Referendum Act.

The authors of the report argue that, based on legal principles, either the entire province or individual municipalities should be consulted, but not three selected districts. In addition, a vote in several selected parts of the country could also be problematic, as financial resources for the possible construction of the S-Link come from all citizens throughout the country.

The report was commissioned by the Salzburg Chamber of Labor. AK President Peter Eder repeatedly criticized the restriction to the political districts. The report by the Salzburg lawyers now confirms Eder, who has always called for a nationwide survey. 

Contestation of results possible
"On what grounds are commuters from Pongau, for example, excluded from the survey, even though the stop in Hallein could be attractive for them?" says AK President Eder, who continues to advocate a nationwide survey. However, the upcoming date of November 10th would have to be canceled quickly. The state of Salzburg sees no need to move away from the regional restrictions and date.

If the referendum, which is not binding, is carried out as planned, there would be the possibility of an appeal. For example, the ordinance issued by the state could be appealed to the Constitutional Court under certain conditions.

Multiple criticism
In around three weeks' time, three Salzburg districts will be voting on the construction of the S-Link project. The referendum is once again causing controversy. Following last year's legal wrangling over the wording of the question in a survey conducted in the city of Salzburg, the wording of the survey for the three districts was again criticized in September.

An expert opinion, also commissioned by the Chamber of Labor, came to the conclusion that the wording of the questionnaire could be contested. According to lawyers Sigrid and Gerhad Lebitsch, it was too complex and too vague.