“The big problem is the countries with which our federal government cooperates,” says Christoph Wiederkehr, deputy mayor of the city of Vienna, about Austria’s asylum problem. Hungary waves all refugees, “and then Nehammer takes on Orban and criticizes the EU”. The alderman for education also finds reproachful words with regard to the German remedial classes: That Minister of Education Polaschek means that “everything is going well”, Wiederkehr describes in the LIVE conversation with Conny Winiwarter as “strange”.
It was a “black-blue prestige project” from the start: the German remedial classes did not bring what was hoped. The results of the last evaluation: 55 percent of the students speak insufficient German. Education councilor Wiederkehr does not see the fact that children are kept separate for learning the German language as “the best model”.
“Must demand German language”
“Different ethnic groups, origin, religion – that’s Vienna. Vienna is diverse and has always been a multicultural city,” he says proudly. And: You have to promote the German language, “but also demand it”. It seems clear that ideal support is hardly feasible given the dire shortage of staff in the schools. But the blame lies with the Ministry of Education: “The federal government has been looking the other way for years”, criticizes Wiederkehr. The solution? Lateral entry into the teaching profession must be made easier to be made.
One school psychologist for 6000 children
Psychological problems in children are on the rise. However, the school psychologists that are urgently needed are nowhere near sufficient. In 2021 there were an average of more than 6,000 children for one psychologist. “That’s not enough,” says the Ministry of Education. But he is not waiting for the federal government to respond accordingly. The deputy mayor puts Viennese initiatives and the city’s extensive therapy offer in front of the curtain.
Asylum policy: ‘With Nehammer there is only show’
When it comes to refugee care, Vienna has been shining for months with a quota of 180 percent that has been exceeded. One thing is clear: “Vienna cannot do this alone.” If countries fail to meet their quotas, a “sanctions mechanism” is needed, says Wiederkehr.
“The big problem is Hungary and Serbia,” says the alderman for integration – ie those countries with which our government is currently working closely. Hungary waves all refugees through. And Nehammer? “He is just for show and he supports those who oppose common solutions,” says Wiederkehr, sharply criticizing our chancellor.
‘No money for countries that do not take back delinquent asylum seekers’
There are also problems with deportations: there are countries that no longer take people back. When it comes to returns, Austria needs to work harder – with sanctions. “Then, for example, there will be no more money for development cooperation if asylum seekers are not taken back,” the NEOS politician pointedly states. Those who stay must also contribute — and be allowed to work: “We should put more pressure here,” Wiederkehr said.
You can see the entire interview with Christoph Wiederkehr in the video above. KroneLIVE can be seen from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.
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Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
