Mahrer: Security and migration must finally be discussed openly!

Mahrer: Security and migration must finally be discussed openly!

Austria's capital Vienna is increasingly facing challenges in the areas of crime and migration. ÖVP state party leader Karl Mahrer, who, as the top candidate of his party in the upcoming municipal elections on April 27, comments concerned about the excesses of violence and drug crime, which has recently endangered public security. In an interview with oe24.at reports Mahrer about a noticeable feeling of uncertainty that he perceives in public transport.

The surveys draw a worrying picture for the ÖVP, which only receives around 10 percent support and fights with a significant image problem. Mahrer warns that a voice for the FPÖ is lost because it would never take over government responsibility in Vienna and emphasizes that the ÖVP wants to bring a bourgeois manuscript to the town hall. At the same time, he criticizes the Vienna SPÖ, which in his view ignores the problems in the city and thus deadly the serious social developments.

campaign strategies and security package

To convince the voters, the ÖVP relies on polarization and provocative slogans such as "German is mandatory, Habibi" in the election campaign. This strategy aims to encourage public discussion about migration and parallel societies. Mahrer notes that these topics must be addressed, while in her opinion the Vienna SPÖ remains standing.

The ÖVP has presented a comprehensive 10-point security package that includes several measures, including:

• zero tolerance zones
• alcohol ban on heavily frequented traffic nodes
• video surveillance
• Additional city guards
• Offensive against youth crime and violence in schools
• Violence protection programs
• Development of the penalty
• increase in the number of social workers

These measures should make a decisive contribution to increasing security in Vienna and react to the increasing crime rates. Mahrer ergänzt, dass die Stadtregierung die bestehenden Probleme nicht ausreichend adressiert und spricht von einem „Brandbeschleuniger für die Probleme der Stadt“, wie auf heute.at dargelegt wird.

migration policy in focus

A central concern of the ÖVP in the current political landscape is migration policy. Here the party pursues similar goals to the FPÖ, since both demand a harder gait against illegal immigration and against asylum seekers: inside. As Wienerzeitung.at , there are efforts to deport rejected asylum seekers: but to introduce a law against the political Islam, which is legally controversial.

The discussion about asylum procedures, including the demand for faster processes and border controls, shows that the ÖVP is willing to act against European law to enforce its goals. In addition, social benefits for non-State citizens are questioned inside, while at the same time it is required that children prove their knowledge of German from the age of three.

Mahrer always underlines that he does not operate a “Vienna bashing”. Rather, he loves the city and would like to name its problems to find solutions. He and the ÖVP sees himself as an important partner to bring about changes and offers the citizens the opportunity to contact and discuss.

The upcoming elections on April 27, 2025 could significantly influence the direction of Vienna politics. Mahrer remains optimistic that the voters will support the ÖVP despite their current challenges.