After the Villach attack

Special state parliament begins with a moment of silence

The members of parliament stood for a minute's silence on Thursday.

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

The brutal murder of a 14-year-old boy by an Islamist attacker (23) from Syria continues to leave Carinthia in shock. The state politicians therefore devoted a special session of parliament to the topics of security and asylum.

The mood in the Carinthian state parliament is sombre and the events are staggering. After the religiously-motivated attack in Villach, nothing in Carinthia is as it once was - even in political discussions. With a minute's silence on Thursday, the members of parliament sent their condolences to the victims and their families: "As a Villach resident, I would never have thought it possible what happened on our doorstep. None of us can empathize with the suffering of the families - which is why it is also important in today's political debate to ensure that the relatives are not additionally hurt," said Reinhart Rohr, President of the Provincial Parliament, urging objectivity at the beginning of the session.

"A heated debate," said FP leader Erwin Angerer, whose parliamentary group had called for the special parliamentary session, "does no one any good! But decisive action is needed now." It is a constitutional obligation to protect the population: "We can all send a clear signal to Vienna today: we must put an end to the welcome policy! We need a ban on political Islam and an immediate ban on asylum," demands Angerer.

"Sham solutions are no longer enough"
According to SPÖ party leader Herwig Seiser, a reduction in immigration is only possible "hand in hand with neighbouring countries and countries of origin as well as international organizations." It is no longer enough to simply present bogus solutions, because "people have lost trust in politics and the state." The Social Democratic Party had already made a change in terms of migration and asylum policy: "We have adapted our demands," said Seiser, who announced a three-party motion containing measures to organize and reduce migration.

This act of terror is one of the worst events we have ever had to experience in Carinthia!

Landeshauptmann Peter Kaiser

"Since 2017, there has been a clear demand at EU level for asylum procedures at the EU's external borders," reminds Governor Peter Kaiser, who also calls for more state intervention "in order to get a grip on what is happening on some platforms. Strict rules are needed!"

"Don't pour oil on the fire"
Meanwhile, the coalition partner ÖVP warns against adding fuel to the fire: "A language build-up, an even stronger hammering will only help the radicals to divide our society," said Markus Malle, for example: "The more we stand together now, the better it is for our country!"

ÖVP leader Martin Gruber called for unity and once again underlined his demands for a ban on TikTok and the possibility of monitoring messenger services: "Deporting the perpetrator must not be the only reaction to this attack!"

Gerhard Köfer from Team Kärnten became more emotional behind the lectern: "I won't apportion political blame, but enough is enough," said Köfer, who described the Syrian attacker as a "beast" and "monster" and called for more powers for the executive, such as the possibility of bag checks in public places and checks in private accommodation for asylum seekers. "Ticking time bombs - dangerous people - should be deported immediately!"

14-point plan adopted, Freedom Party rebuffed
With the votes of the SPÖ, ÖVP and Team Kärnten, a 14-point plan was adopted, which is to be achieved in negotiations with the federal government. These include the introduction of upper limits for asylum seekers, a ban on political Islam, the monitoring of messenger services, a waiting period for access to social benefits, asylum procedures at external EU borders, mandatory community service for asylum seekers, a ban on carrying knives and the expansion of search options for the executive.

The Freedom Party's proposals for a change of course in asylum and migration policy (details have already been reported by the "Krone" ), the immediate deportation of Islamist threats and the "gradual closure of all asylum homes in Carinthia" received too few votes. "This act of terrorism is one of the worst events we have ever had to experience in Carinthia!" said Carinthian Governor Peter Kaiser - and at least on this point, everyone seems to agree ...