Criticism of the black-blue coalition

Harsh assessment: “Shift to the right and little climate protection”

Invited to take stock: Dick, Pollak, Frühwald and Kromp-Kolb.(Bild: zusammenHaltNÖ)

After one year of the ÖVP-FPÖ government in Lower Austria, activists have identified too much soil sealing, too slow an expansion of wind power and "non-transparent action" by the government.

One year of a black-blue government in this vast country - time for civil society to take critical stock. The "#zusammenHaltNÖ" initiative therefore invited people to take stock. The climate crisis and a possible shift to the right in the government were discussed. "Climate protection is about making the necessary possible," says climate pioneer Helga Kromp-Kolb. For example, in the form of less private transport, roads and land consumption as well as more cycle paths, wind turbines and photovoltaic systems. Lower Austria would simply be giving away unused potential for wind and solar instead of becoming "Austria's energy stronghold", explains Johanna Frühwald from Fridays For Future.

Together they took critical stock in St. Pölten.(Bild: zusammenHaltNÖ)

Climate-friendly decisions called for
The proximity of the FPÖ to right-wing extremism is also an "untenable situation". "The ÖVP has brought this party into government, looks on and remains silent," said Gundi Dick from #zusammenHaltNÖ. Alexander Pollak from SOS Mitmensch sees provincial politics adapting to the rhetoric of the extreme right.

"No other state government is driving forward the expansion of renewable energy with more commitment. We are also not turning a blind eye to political Islam and anti-Semitism," countered Matthias Zauner, Managing Director of the ÖVP.