Styrian lead hospital: political tensions before the election

Styrian lead hospital: political tensions before the election

The discussion about the planned lead hospital Liezen picks up speed shortly before the Styrian state election on November 24th. The project control report of the State Audit Office (LRH) ensures lively debates, in particular the meaningfulness of the project and the associated financial aspects.

The FPÖ has directed an urgent request to Governor Christopher Drexler (ÖVP). Club boss Mario Kunasek expressed that when evaluating the project, the reasons for rejection should be weighted more strongly. He spoke of long travel paths, an unfavorable demographic development and the unclear reuse of the existing three hospitals. A referendum from 2019, in which almost two thirds of the voters were against the project, also contribute to skepticism.

project control report in criticism

Kunasek refers to the LRH report, which contains critical points. So you have to deal with the resulting parallel structures in the design of the operating company, in which it is not clear whether the country retains enough control and control options. Specifically, he asked about the total costs and pointed out that the LRH put it at around 302 million euros (as of March 2024), which could increase to around 330 million euros when completed.

ÖVP State Councilor Karlheinz Kornhäusl vehemently defended the project. He emphasized that it was not a coincidence or a political game, but about the need for adequate health care in rural areas. He points out that the existing hospitals are already overloaded and that the reasons for the LRH are clearly understandable for the construction of a new hospital.

political reactions and counter positions

The opposition expresses concerns. KPÖ club chairwoman Claudia Klimt-Weithaler emphasizes that there are always alternatives and that there has been no sufficient building permit for the project so far. The Green MP Lambert Schönleitner illustrates that in his opinion everything has been going wrong for years. Neos club director Niko Swatek demands that the population can expect high-quality health care without restrictions.

LPD Drexler finally stood behind the project and pointed out the need to create a central and efficient hospital. In doing so, he admitted that there were any errors in communication during the Corona pandemic, but which should now be remedied. Drexler also defended the planned cooperation with the Diakonie and made it clear that this was not a procedure for external investments such as hedge funds.

The discussion about the leading hospital and the associated questions remains the focus of the political agenda in Styria. The coming days and the upcoming elections will show how these heated debates affect the decision -making process. The problem of the new hospital is not only a question of health system design, but also a political challenge for those responsible.