Vienna should have an ‘integration model’ by the summer. According to the wishes of Vice Mayor Christoph Wiederkehr, it should be more than just a recommendation: he demands consequences for violations. In addition to the demands on immigrants, the range of services is also being expanded, starting with language acquisition.
The Values Convention, where Wiederkehr brought together 200 citizens and representatives of the city’s institutions in mid-November to discuss “what we want in Vienna – and what we don’t want” in the Hofburg, shows the first concrete results: By the summer, but at the latest before the elections in Vienna next year, Wiederkehr wants to “reach consensus within the convention”, i.e. create an “integration model”, which should then be mandatory for all immigrants – including consequences for violations.
Consequences up to and including the abolition of the minimum income are possible
“We need more consequences for people who do not integrate,” Wiederkehr makes clear. However, Vienna’s options are limited, he points out the responsibility of the federal government, for example when it comes to demanding punishment for parents who do not want to cooperate with schools. Given the possibilities that Vienna has, Wiederkehr does not even want to shy away from lowering the minimum income. There should be “no prohibition on thinking.”
Language courses even before the first year of primary school
To achieve greater integration, Wiederkehr especially wants to increase the possibilities for early language acquisition. This summer there will be 1,000 additional language learning places for children, including for the first time for children about to enter the first year of primary school. No one can be obliged to do this, Wiederkehr once again refers to the federal government, but the consequences of not attending will be made clear here, namely the likely qualification as an exceptional student. Moreover, the financial pot of “Mutmillion” should increasingly be focused on language acquisition.
Call for more respect, regardless of background
The call for more action against those who disrupt coexistence in Vienna also dominated the Values Convention: there was agreement that there should be consequences for those who refuse to integrate and for a lack of respect for teachers, civil servants, hospital staff and in general in public. spaces – regardless of who originated. However, immigrants also complained about discrimination in the workplace, for example due to a lack of recognition of their qualifications.
According to Wiederkehr, the discussions in the working groups at the conference were ‘sometimes very heated’. What was most surprising to him was the intensity with which religion was discussed by all involved, including and especially by those who feel that they do not belong to any religion. For Wiederkehr, however, these heated debates are part of “democracy in action: people making an effort to come together, especially on difficult issues.”
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.
