Vienna becomes a European Democratic capital - a title with shadow?

Vienna becomes a European Democratic capital - a title with shadow?

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - Vienna faces massive financial challenges! With the election of a new city councilor and a new city council, municipal councilor Manfred Juraczka from the Vienna People's Party emphasizes that it is not enough to limit itself to mere administration. "Clear decisions and the course is needed to get the massive challenges of Vienna under control," he explains and warns of the excessive social spending, which could develop into a financial base without soil. According to Juraczka, this endangers the economic future of the city. He is particularly concerned about the stalling major projects such as the arena in St. Marx and the bus terminal, whose delays for a city like Vienna are "simply not acceptable", as he notes. The call for more efficient participation management and more control of urban companies, especially after the difficulties in Vienna Energie, becomes louder.

European Democratic capital: a title with a question mark

But Vienna has another topic on the neck: from October the city will be celebrated for a year as a "European Democratic capital", as the courier reports. This title, introduced by the CEO European Capital of Democracy (ECOD), is intended to strengthen democracies. Vienna was chosen by Europe-wide online voting as the successor to Barcelona and is planning a wide range of events such as a democracy workshop or an art festival. But Juraczka is skeptical. For him, it looks like party political interests of SPÖ and Neos are being funded here at the expense of taxpayers. "What looks like the awarding of a title through a large European organization is actually homemade," said his accusation. Particularly surprising: the award takes place in the year before the municipal council election. The Vienna ÖVP apparently has concerns that these activities should be used as a campaign strategy. In the next municipal council, the corresponding funding application will be decided and Juraczka asks Mayor Ludwig to put an end to this "embarrassing show".