30 years of Austria in the EU: a look back at success!

30 years of Austria in the EU: a look back at success!

this day, January 1, 2025, Austria celebrates the 30th anniversary of its accession to the European Union. SPÖ boss Andreas Babler emphasizes the importance of this membership, which was realized three decades ago under Chancellor Franz Vranitzky. "The European Union is the promise of security and freedom in Europe and for a good life for everyone," he explains. This positive view is contrasting in his previous critical statements about the EU when Babler described the Union as "worse than NATO" in 2020 and described it as the "most aggressive foreign policy alliance", reports OE24.

On this solemn occasion, Babler and SPÖ-EU delegation manager Andreas Schieder express that the EU accession was a milestone in the history of the second republic and strengthened Austria. They emphasize the EU achievements in recent years, such as free passenger transport, the common currency and important improvements for employees through legal regulations on wage transparency. "Europe also has to be a social union," adds Babler and demands that people focus on the needs of people. It is optimistic about the future development and calls for creating a fair and socially oriented Europe, as can be read in a press release from OTS.

together strongly against current challenges

The two SPÖ politicians emphasize that the EU is indispensable even in times of global challenges such as wars and economic problems. Schieder emphasizes that the EU guarantee peace, freedom and prosperity and that you shouldn't miss an opportunity to protect consumers and social standards. He is concerned about current conflicts worldwide and speaks for a united Europe that can only act together on the international stage. "We are not allowed to and we are not left to the right -wing populists and destroyers," confirms Babler, who is convinced that the EU achievements have to be preserved for the future to guarantee security and prosperity for everyone.