The constituent National Council meeting started on Thursday with the swearing-in of the 183 members. Among them are 73 people who were not represented in the National Council at the end of the last term; most of the new members come from the FPÖ. The main agenda item of the first session of the 28th term is the election of the Presidium of the National Council.
In alphabetical order, the delegates pledged “unwavering loyalty to the Republic, constant and full compliance with constitutional laws and all other laws and conscientious performance of their duties.” “So help me God,” added Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).
Familiar faces there
The best-known newcomers include FPÖ manager Arnold Schiefer and former ORF presenter Marie-Christine Giuliani-Sterrer, SPÖ party leader Andreas Babler and GPA leader Barbara Teiber, NEOS media manager Veit Dengler and most of the previous coalition parties Karl Nehammer’s government members ( ÖVP) and Werner Kogler (Greens) down.
However, not only MPs were present, but also many spectators – including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and former National Council President Andreas Khol (ÖVP).
Government bank poorly staffed
The government bench was sparsely staffed, because most ministers and state secretaries had acquired mandates. Only Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch was represented by the Greens, while Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg, Minister of Education Martin Polaschek, Minister of Labor Martin Kocher and State Secretary Susanne Kraus-Winkler of the ÖVP took their seats.
Not a controversial cornflower in sight
A string quartet opened the session with the federal and European national anthems. As usual, the MPs also decorated themselves with flowers and pins on the day of their inauguration. Instead, there wasn’t a controversial cornflower in sight; the liberal mandates wore a vertically striped Austrian bow with Edelweiss decorations.
The ÖVP relied on white roses, the SPÖ on red carnations. The NEOS wore pink speech bubble pins, the Greens brought potted plants.
The strongest force in the 28th legislature is the Freedom Party with 57 seats, followed by the ÖVP with 51 and the SPÖ with 41 members. The NEOS may send 18 parliamentarians, the Greens 16.
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.
