After excesses of violence – video from Mayor Ludwig for the population

“The protection and safety of the people of Vienna is my top priority,” says Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) into the camera – in a video that is aimed at the people of Vienna, among others, on his YouTube channel. And for the federal government. The city boss explains the content of the message: “In recent weeks, crimes have been committed in Vienna that are unacceptable. Individual groups are abusing our city because of their disputes. This is absolutely unacceptable. There is no place for violence in Vienna! I have recorded that again.”

Vienna should have its own police force
And he is rolling out plans that are not new from an SPÖ perspective, but are currently explosive in view of the gang wars and the daily violent crimes on the streets: Michael Ludwig emphasizes once again that he would like to “urbanize” the police. This means that the powers of the executive branch must be transferred from the Ministry of the Interior to the city hall. Ludwig: “I have long been advocating for more police officers for our city. Since 2019, I have also been campaigning for a general weapons ban in Vienna. This ban must be fully controlled by the police. The federal government and the Minister of the Interior are responsible for all this and I have to say: they are not doing enough.”

Federal government postal response
Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) responded quickly: “Vienna has been pursuing an uncontrolled and excessive welcoming policy for decades and the city continues to take active measures to encourage immigration into its social system.” The violence in Vienna is “no longer an integration issue”.