B317 safety upgrade

Carinthia now wants to try a state treaty

What happens next with the B317 is still written in the stars.

(Bild: Jennifer Kapellari)

The negotiations between the state and federal government on the safety expansion of the Friesach road have failed - now a (link) state treaty is to be used. Gruber takes Gewessler to task. The "Kinderfreunde" case is closed for the state. The governor fights against corruption and for skilled workers. The opposition is not letting the government off the hook in all of this.

For nine years now, the expansion of the B317, on which serious accidents repeatedly occur, from St. Veit to Styria, has been at a standstill, but recently the provincial government has been slightly optimistic. Today, this has come to a standstill again.

"The negotiations with the ministry have failed. Everything was actually technically agreed and our solution, that Carinthia would carry out the construction and the federal government would finance it, was also the cheapest," said Deputy Governor Martin Gruber, expressing his disappointment. "I can only explain the fact that Minister Gewessler has backed down with the approaching election campaign. I feel more than offended, I am very irritated." According to the state, the project would have cost 250 million euros, "significantly less than ASFINAG".

What happens now?
Carinthia is now trying its luck with a (link) state treaty in accordance with Section 15a of the constitution. "This should commit the federal government to the safety expansion; after all, the road is one of its responsibilities," explains Gruber. "Otherwise we still have the option of appealing to the Constitutional Court." The corresponding resolution was passed unanimously by the provincial government. "The federal government must not shirk its responsibility," Governor Peter Kaiser also made clear.

"Kinderfreunde" association was the most favorable solution
In the past, there has been a lot of uproar about the services provided by "Kinderfreunde" in the area of school social work - the provincial government was severely criticized by the opposition. "We obtained various legal opinions and calculated all the options. In retrospect, the association turned out to be the most favorable option," emphasizes Provincial Councillor Daniel Fellner. "The state will therefore pay the association for school social work minus the overhead costs." According to Fellner, the bill for this amounts to 515,000 euros.

With regard to the natural disasters of recent years, Fellner is focusing on preventative measures. "Millions more are being spent on torrent and avalanche barriers," says the Provincial Councillor. "The state is making 900,000 euros available for support and maintenance alone."

Corruption prevention and a highly qualified workforce
The province also wants to take preventative action against corruption, even if, according to Provincial Governor Peter Kaiser, "there have been few major headlines in Carinthia since 1978". A guideline has therefore been drawn up for state employees. "Let's not be tempted, let's avoid corruption," Kaiser explains the state's approach. "I am proud that there was no incident that led to the guidelines."

The governor wants to combat the shortage of skilled workers with an "EU Blue Card". "Employment for highly qualified workers should be made easier. Anyone with a university degree or relevant professional experience should also be allowed to work," emphasizes Peter Kaiser. "But of course this only applies if there are no nationals with the right qualifications for the job."

"Total failure" of the government and support for the resolution
The FPÖ is less than impressed by the resolution. "How much longer do ÖVP-Gruber and SPÖ-Kaiser want to keep the population and the media in suspense about the safety expansion of the B317? A provincial government is in office to implement things, not to send toothless resolutions to the federal government," says FPÖ leader Erwin Angerer angrily. "The constant excuses from the SPÖ and ÖVP don't prevent a single accident and don't help the region."

Team Carinthia takes a more constructive approach. "The political idle dance surrounding the safety expansion of the B 317 must finally come to an end," demands Team Kärnten leader Mayor Gerhard Köfer. "The federal government must finally end its blockade. We certainly support the path outlined today of initiating a 15a agreement between the federal government and the federal provinces in order to relocate the road and implement the safety expansion. Our concern is that something should finally be done. The route is extremely dangerous and there is no alternative to the safety upgrade."

Distrust in the "Kinderfreunde" case
For the opposition, the issue is far from over and both parties are calling for a full investigation. "We continue to demand comprehensive transparency in the interests of taxpayers," explains Köfer. "The fundamental question must be whether there are better and cheaper options than awarding the contracts to Kinderfreunde, who work for the state in a variety of different areas, from school social work to refugee care."

The FPÖ goes much further in its criticism and even suspects a barter deal. "What does the ÖVP get for agreeing to the Kinderfreunde resolution? It can be assumed that the SPÖ bought the approval with a deal at the taxpayers' expense," speculates Erwin Angerer. "The FPÖ continues to advocate a complete investigation. The public wants to know what happened and whether what we know so far is just the tip of the iceberg. On the initiative of the FPÖ, the Provincial Court of Audit will examine the case and shed light on the darkness."