Students in revolt: FPÖ and ÖVP want to destroy participation!

Students in revolt: FPÖ and ÖVP want to destroy participation!

University democracy in Austria is facing a decisive turning point, as current reports from the coalition negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP show. Miriam Amann, the federal chairwoman of the VSStÖ, sounds the alarm: "We students form the largest group at universities and must be involved in decision-making processes. Again it is the FPÖ and ÖVP who want to trample on student interests and undermine university democracy!" These critical voices arise against the background of secret protocols that reveal a massive weakening of student participation. It is planned to completely deprive students of their right to vote in the Senate, the highest decision-making body at universities, which was already started in the first black-blue coalition in 2002, as Nina Mathies from the Austrian Students' Union (ÖH) emphasizes.

The current changes could threaten the existence of the ÖH. Amann warns against the introduction of an opt-out regulation, which would result in severe underfunding of the university student body. “80 years after its founding, the legal representation of the interests of almost 400,000 students is to be starved,” Amann continued. These measures would not only undermine the power of students in the political process, but would also endanger the ÖH's important services, such as legal advice and insurance. According to reporting by Small newspaper Many say that such a policy would endanger the connection to international science. At a time when global networking and exchange via electronic databases are essential, these steps contrast sharply with the current demands of academic life.

The students are determined to take action against these developments and are announcing resistance: “The ÖH is not negotiable!” warns Amann. The universities are now called upon to show their solidarity with the students and to advocate for a free, democratic education policy. A critical student voice has a clear claim: “We will not sit still and watch as our advocacy group is destroyed.” This debate is not only a question of student participation, but also the cornerstone of university culture and academic freedom in Austria.