Support for the universities in the fight for more money came from the Greens on Sunday: Science spokeswoman Eva Blimlinger said that the 500 million euros more negotiated by the Minister of Science for 2023 and 2024 was not enough. It takes 900 million or “maybe even a billion” to secure operations. ÖVP science spokesman Rudolf Taschner admitted that 500 million “should not be enough”.
“Additional money is needed,” Blimlinger shared the attitude of the universities, who on Monday underlined the demand of the university conference for an additional 1.2 billion euros in 2024 with a day of protest. In the ORF magazine “Hohes Haus”, the Greens MP called on Science Minister Martin Polaschek to renegotiate with Finance Minister Magnus Brunner – to whom she “of course also appeals” – so that universities and technical colleges in every case “get by”. once in 2023. may.
Blimlinger: “We have to step up the pressure”
If the planned increase of only 500 million euros remains, “we have to step up the pressure”, the former rector of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts noted, “it is important that the protest continues”. Because the universities are “almost bankrupt”. If you have to think about huge savings, not hiring or closing labs, “that’s bankruptcy.”
The “loosening of the budget” – which is rejected by government partner ÖVP – is not necessary, Blimlinger said. Laws can always be changed through amendments – and such change, if necessary, can be decided at the December plenary session. Because next Thursday, the 2023 budget will be decided in the National Council.
ÖVP wants solution “out of budget”
The ÖVP science spokesman Taschner rejected the “loosening” of the budget. But that the 500 million euros “should not be enough” is “seen the same way” by the minister, he said. Negotiations had to take place outside the budget. A university ‘certainly does not go bankrupt’, he noted. Minister Polaschek stated that they were “in good talks”. And he understands the concerns of the universities. He has repeatedly emphasized that the budget will not be “unbound”. But they are trying to find ways to relieve the universities financially, outside the budget.
In a press conference on Friday, he accused the university congress – which called for extra money, citing the unexpectedly sharp increase in prices, especially for energy, rents and personnel – of having presented “no basis for argument”.
And the ÖVP minister was confident that regular teaching and research activities could continue despite rising prices at all universities – including the Vienna University of Technology (TU) which is preparing for a month-long closure over the Christmas holidays. The universities must make redistributions, he said, and they will be supported by the ministry. But “it is the responsibility of each university management to ensure that teaching and research activities can continue,” Polaschek clarifies.
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.
