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Austria’s new coalition agrees to extend school headscarf ban Austria’s new coalition agrees to extend school headscarf ban
(32 minutes later)
Chancellor Sebastian Kurz also revives plans for ‘precautionary detention’ of asylum seekers Chancellor Sebastian Kurz also revives plan for ‘precautionary detention’ of asylum seekers
Austria’s conservative and Green parties have agreed plans to extend a headscarf ban in schools and introduce “precautionary detention” of “dangerous” asylum seekers under a coalition government deal, according to local media reports.Austria’s conservative and Green parties have agreed plans to extend a headscarf ban in schools and introduce “precautionary detention” of “dangerous” asylum seekers under a coalition government deal, according to local media reports.
Sebastian Kurz, leader of the Austrian People’s party (ÖVP), is set to return to the chancellorship, after hammering out a deal with Werner Kogler of the Greens, which would bring the smaller party into the national government for the first time.Sebastian Kurz, leader of the Austrian People’s party (ÖVP), is set to return to the chancellorship, after hammering out a deal with Werner Kogler of the Greens, which would bring the smaller party into the national government for the first time.
The two leaders reached agreement over the weekend after weeks of negotiations following September’s elections. Both parties made gains in the national vote, which was called after the break-up of Kurz’s coalition with the far-right Freedom party over a corruption scandal.The two leaders reached agreement over the weekend after weeks of negotiations following September’s elections. Both parties made gains in the national vote, which was called after the break-up of Kurz’s coalition with the far-right Freedom party over a corruption scandal.
Ahead of the official announcement of the coalition agreement on Thursday afternoon, Austrian media concluded that Kurz had succeeded in pushing forward his tough stance on illegal immigration and “political Islam” in the 300-page coalition deal.Ahead of the official announcement of the coalition agreement on Thursday afternoon, Austrian media concluded that Kurz had succeeded in pushing forward his tough stance on illegal immigration and “political Islam” in the 300-page coalition deal.
“A lot of turquoise and a little green,” was the headline in the tabloid Kronen Zeitung, referring to the political colours of the two parties, as it concluded that Kurz’s agenda had prevailed, while a big reform of green taxes would have to wait.“A lot of turquoise and a little green,” was the headline in the tabloid Kronen Zeitung, referring to the political colours of the two parties, as it concluded that Kurz’s agenda had prevailed, while a big reform of green taxes would have to wait.
The paper reported that the coalition deal includes banning the headscarf in schools for girls up to age 14, an extension of the garment ban that applies until age 10 approved by lawmakers earlier this year.The paper reported that the coalition deal includes banning the headscarf in schools for girls up to age 14, an extension of the garment ban that applies until age 10 approved by lawmakers earlier this year.
The coalition agreement also revives a plan for “precautionary detention” of potentially dangerous asylum seekers even if those individuals have not committed a crime. Earlier this year the Kurz government proposed detaining asylum seekers deemed to pose a risk to the public without a court order, a plan that would require a constitutional amendment.The coalition agreement also revives a plan for “precautionary detention” of potentially dangerous asylum seekers even if those individuals have not committed a crime. Earlier this year the Kurz government proposed detaining asylum seekers deemed to pose a risk to the public without a court order, a plan that would require a constitutional amendment.
The government also plans new return centres for asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected.The government also plans new return centres for asylum seekers whose claims have been rejected.
The two parties have also agreed to set up a working group on a greener tax system. According to newspaper Die Presse, CO2 will be taxed more heavily, but there will be no explicit carbon tax. Higher taxes are also expected on the most polluting heavy goods vehicles, an issue that is also a priority for the country at EU level. The two parties have also agreed to set up a working group on a greener tax system. According to Die Presse newspaper, CO2 will be taxed more heavily, but there will be no explicit carbon tax. Higher taxes are also expected on the most polluting heavy goods vehicles, an issue that is also a priority for the country at EU level.
Other Green policies contained in the coalition deal include plans for a freedom of information law and greater oversight of party finances.Other Green policies contained in the coalition deal include plans for a freedom of information law and greater oversight of party finances.
If the Greens’ Federal Council approves the coalition agreement, the government is expected to take office on 7 January. Observers do not expect this body of local and national lawmakers to block their party’s path to power, but Kurz’s hardline stance on immigration and identity will be difficult to swallow. If the Greens’ federal council approves the coalition agreement, the government is expected to take office on 7 January. Observers do not expect this body of local and national lawmakers to block their party’s path to power, but Kurz’s hardline stance on immigration and identity will be difficult to swallow.
Green politician Sigrid Maurer, who was involved in coalition negotiations, told the Ö1 Morgenjournal radio programme that she was confident the Federal Council would approve the outcome on Saturday, although she conceded some parts of the programme would “be painful” for grassroots members. She added that other parts were “also painful” for the ÖVP. Sigrid Maurer, a Green politician who was involved in coalition negotiations, told the Ö1 Morgenjournal radio programme that she was confident the federal council would approve the outcome on Saturday, although she conceded some parts of the programme would “be painful” for grassroots members. She added that other parts were “also painful” for the ÖVP.
Both parties will seek to push through their agenda through control of key ministries.Both parties will seek to push through their agenda through control of key ministries.
Kurz’s confidante, Susanne Raab, who worked on the country’s 2017 ban on full-face veils and a 2015 law designed to curb “political Islam”, is expected to run a new ministry for integration.Kurz’s confidante, Susanne Raab, who worked on the country’s 2017 ban on full-face veils and a 2015 law designed to curb “political Islam”, is expected to run a new ministry for integration.
The Green party will aim to exert its influence through a boosted ministry for infrastructure, transport and environment, expected to be headed by the former climate activist Leonore Gewessler.The Green party will aim to exert its influence through a boosted ministry for infrastructure, transport and environment, expected to be headed by the former climate activist Leonore Gewessler.