The powerful mayors shouted and almost the entire state leadership danced: the Congress of the Austrian Association of Municipalities with a small spring fair in the Tyrolean capital (almost) resembled an ÖVP party conference.
Mayors and heads of departments from all over Austria, South Tyrol and Trentino, about 2,000 people in total, celebrated their “municipal high mass” on Thursday on the municipal day in Innsbruck, to which the heads of state of the federal president pay tribute.
The municipality seized the opportunity
For the ÖVP this is traditionally a home game, for the other parties there is only the role of spectator and rarely room on the podium. That was reserved for the men around the chairman of the Association of Municipalities, Alfred Riedl. While the federal ministers had to be satisfied with five to ten minutes of speaking time – Federal President Van der Bellen and Chancellor Nehammer also had little more – Riedl made a great effort.
For almost an hour he gave a speech to the head of state. “It’s a pleasure for me to see the importance of communities in the state,” he said. “We could bring in another council of ministers, then I would have already drawn up an agenda,” he joked.
“Millions confused with billions”
Tax equalization, property tax and land use were the dominant themes. But also childcare, care, energy policy and climate protection. “The future is communal,” Riedl left no doubt as to who was in charge. “Where is the confidence of citizens best placed? With the mayors’, assisted Wolfgang Sobotka, chairman of the National Council.
With such euphoria, Treasury Secretary Magnus Brunner felt compelled to call for financial discipline: “Millions have often been confused with billions in recent years. We need to value tax money more. We need to talk about sustainable budgets so that we have room for future challenges,” the ÖVP finance minister warned his fellow campaigners.
Where communities have a problem
“It’s almost like the banks. You had to explain that you didn’t need money to get one,” Riedl countered humorously. Where is the church pinching? “Area designation is community power,” Riedl ended efforts by the federal government to gain access to wind turbines. Another point of concern: the acceleration of procedures. At the end, Chancellor Nehammer sent two messages: “The Federal Government takes its job seriously.” And: “We’re on your side!”
Municipal fair as a meeting point
Like a spring fair, but on a smaller scale: the town fair, which took place parallel to the municipal day, offered trade visitors a welcome change from the program of the municipal day, which consisted of many parts in addition to the main conference. The conference was shortened from 2.5 to 2 days for reasons of efficiency, says Alfred Riedl, chairman of the Association of Municipalities.
“The fair is a must for all employees in public administration who are looking for the latest developments and innovations in their industry. You have the unique opportunity to stay abreast of the latest building trends, technologies and innovations. Nowhere else are designers and innovators so close together,” said Riedl.
Not only the obligatory winter service equipment in the outlying area served as an eye-catcher, but also the very latest generation of parking meters that look like trendy order terminals in fast food bars. There was a relaxed atmosphere at some stands. Also because of the Starkenberger beer from Tyrol!
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.
