Asylum and sanctions – special hearing: Karner works without much “hype”

In response to an urgent request from the FPÖ, Karner emphasized that the problems were being addressed, but “without foaming at the mouth”. In fact, there is currently an increase in the number of asylum applications by almost 200 percent compared to the previous year. There are several reasons for this wave of migration, which people want to stop. He referred to the influx, especially from India, the visa-free regime in the Western Balkans and the traffickers who abused Europe’s openness to people expelled from Ukraine for their own advertising purposes.

A whole package of measures is needed here, stricter border controls in Austria, registration instead of waving through, police prosecution of the smugglers with 400 arrests this year, but also “anti-marketing” in the countries of origin and a planned increase in penalties for smugglers. There is bilateral and multilateral cooperation on border protection, for example with Hungary or in the Western Balkans. At the European level, it is about continuing the Asylum and Migration Pact. Karner also recalled that he had exchanged views with Denmark and Great Britain on the handling of asylum procedures in third countries. And he was grateful to Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) that Serbia could be forced to go along with the tightening of visa rules.

Criticism of “great betrayal” and sanctions against Russia
Before that, Kickl had come out in full force in justifying the petition against the government, especially the ÖVP. As for the asylum limits, they committed “great betrayal of their own people”. Almost 70,000 asylum seekers can be reached this year: “They are all coming in because you have decided not to protect our borders, but to abuse our police and military as escort services”. His appeal to Karner: “This time at least betray the Greens and not your own people”.

Kickl also discussed sanctions against Russia. Austria is waging an economic war with the EU and NATO, acting “with the mentality of an Islamic suicide bomber”.

Maurer: ‘FPÖ on the side of the war criminal’
Green club chairman Sigrid Maurer identified the presidential election campaign as the true backdrop to the special session anyway, but picked up the ball and shot at the blue stance on Russia. The FPÖ is acting “in the interest of Vladimir Putin”, Maurer reminded of “interdependencies”. The FPÖ can confidently be described as “Putin’s fifth column in Austria,” Maurer said. “The PVV is Putin’s party in Austria.” Unlike all other factions, the FPÖ is “on the side of the war criminal”.

FPÖ mandatary Hannes Amesbauer made it clear that the upcoming Hofburg elections may well have been a reason for Blue’s request to accuse the government of a special session of supporting a federal president, Alexander Van der Bellen, “who says: Foreigners in, as much as possible”. Amesbauer also appealed to those entitled to vote: “Take the opportunity on Sunday to persuade the federal government and especially to throw Van der Bellen out of the Hofburg.”