Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Health Minister Johannes Rauch are starting a reconciliation process – a committee is to examine the measures taken during the pandemic. Corona and its consequences have left “deep rifts in our society and placed a heavy burden on the people of Austria,” Nehammer justified the initiative on Wednesday.
People were amazed at how quickly the ÖVP went back to business as usual after the election debacle in Lower Austria. Apparently one has not done it – namely ÖVP party leader Karl Nehammer. Above all, the loss of countless votes to the FPÖ has deeply hurt the People’s Party.
Lower Austrian elections: Many farmers migrated to the FPÖ because of mandatory vaccination
The main motive among farmers to vote for the FPÖ in Lower Austria was compulsory vaccination. No one among the Turks was still angry about the Corona measures on their radar. It was the moment of shock on election night.
Since then, according to people close to Nehammer, the chancellor has not let go of the idea of starting a reconciliation process here. The Chancellor now wants to approach those Austrians who have rejected the corona measures. He and Health Minister Johannes Rauch will drive this initiative forward.
detect weaknesses in the system
In addition to addressing the nation in early March, Nehammer will set up a committee of experts to analyze all measures taken during the pandemic. The committee must demonstrate the weaknesses in the system, but also evaluate the decision-making processes, for example on the controversial mandatory vaccination or the 3G rule. Nehammer has not yet decided who the members of this committee should be. For the Chancellor, the model is the Committee on the Night of Terror in Vienna, which he appointed as Minister of the Interior at the time.
Nehammer: “Don’t be afraid of criticism”
He “doesn’t shy away from criticism,” Nehammer said when presenting his plan. “Ruthless analysis is both a duty and a prerequisite for healing these social wounds and overcoming the trauma,” said the chancellor.
“Long-awaited move by the Chancellor”
For political expert Thomas Hofer, the initiative is a “long-awaited move by the chancellor”. However, the mission is also a “tightrope walk where one must not offend those who have followed the measures”. And Hofer thinks Nehammer should also “reveal his vision for the coming years” in the country’s speech. This is also what the ÖVP boss is missing.
Try to take the wind out of Kickl’s sails
Of course, there is another political calculation behind the new chancellor’s plan. The FPÖ is already pushing for a subcommittee on the corona pandemic. It also annoys the ÖVP that Kickl currently has a monopoly to answer no to everything and is also very successful with it. ‘With the assignment you want to take the wind out of Herbert Kickl’s sails. It is an attempt to move the process away from partisan political stagings,” Hofer said.
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.
