The announcement by President of the National Council Wolfgang Sobotka that he intends to rent a golden grand piano for the (newly opened) parliament in Vienna caused a veritable “wingbeat” of emotions. But now, despite all the criticism and resistance, the gold piece was delivered. The Bösendorfer instrument, for which the rent is no less than 3,000 euros per month, will remain hidden for the time being. Only after the reopening of the renovated parliament building will the curious be able to take a look.
The grand piano will be placed in the reception lounge in the renovated parliament building on the ring road and harks back to the initiative of parliament leader Sobotka (ÖVP). The instrument is financed from the Arts and Culture budget, which accounts for less than 0.5 percent of the total costs of the conversion.
SPÖ mandatary Christian Drobits compared the rental costs of the Bösendorfer wing with people at risk of poverty after the discussion started in November. The livelihood of three people on a minimum income is worth as much as the expenses for the piano. On the part of NEOS, mandate holder Nikolaus Scherak listed what the money could also be used for in the interest of parliament – for example, for an expansion of the legal and legislative service or more resources for employees.
“Insane idea” became reality
FPÖ club boss Herbert Kickl saw the purchase as an opportunity to call new elections again, simply because there would then be a new chairman of the National Council. He literally spoke of a “crazy idea” and mocked the gold-studded wing as an expression of the modesty of politics.
On 14 and 15 January 2023, the reopened parliament will open to the public with two open days. You can visit the National Council, the Federal Council and the Federal Assembly Hall, the offices of the President of the National Council and the Federal Council, the colonnaded hall, the new visitor center and the library.
Source: Krone
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