Monday started the registration week for seven referendums. Among the initiators are Robert Marschall, who ran for president, and vaccine-skeptical gynecologist Christian Fiala, who is best known for his work in the social movement Pro-Choice.
Marschall initiated the referendum “Abolish Covid measures”, Christian Fiala one titled “Reparations for Covid 19 measures”. Fiala is a vaccine skeptic, but is better known by some for his commitment to safe abortions.
Further referendums call for an improvement in the situation for people of color, government support for housing financing and the abolition of the GIS allowance. However, a “strictly earmarked fee for the financing of Ö1” is described as legitimate.
Children’s rights must have constitutional status
Another referendum aims to make the entire UN Convention on the Rights of the Child constitutional. In addition, the importation of products containing child labor in the production process or in the supply chain should be banned. In addition, the state must commit to ensuring the maintenance of children. “For unlimited cash payments” is the name of another referendum seeking to protect banknotes and coins as means of payment and as a form of wealth. That should be enshrined in the constitution.
Signing possible until September 26
Anyone who has not yet submitted a statement of support (this also counts as a signature in referendums, please note) has until Monday 26 September to do so. Signatures can be handed in in person at any municipality or in Vienna at the district offices (regardless of where you live), or they can be done online with a mobile phone signature or citizen card. Austrian citizenship is required. More information can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), where the preliminary final result will also be published on September 26 at 8:15 PM.
Six other referendums that reached 100,000 signatures in May are to be discussed in the National Council on Wednesday. These include – as reported – more anti-corruption measures, an unconditional basic income, measures for the mental health of children and young people and the fight against animal suffering in the transport of animals for slaughter. Two initiatives are devoted to the now abolished vaccination obligation against Covid-19.
If a referendum is discussed in the National Council, its content is not automatically implemented. In Austria, not many referendums have been successful in history. However, some of the initiators see it as a success if the subject is discussed more in the media and in politics.
Source: Krone
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