Lower Austrian action plan

Mikl-Leitner: Fight against “radical Islam”

Clear rules, prevention and also punishments should ensure that integration and coexistence work in Lower Austria. Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) is focusing on a package of measures.

As many as 70 percent of all young people from Afghanistan, Syria and Chechnya living in our home country consider themselves to be very or fairly religious. This figure is only 39% for young Bosnians, Turks and Kurds. In comparison, only 13% of the young population without a migration background see themselves as very or fairly religious.

More and more citizens born abroad
Demographics are currently changing rapidly: the proportion of the population born abroad has risen to around 20 percent in recent years. There has been a particularly significant increase since 2010. According to Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, clear rules are needed to ensure that living together still works and integration picks up speed.

Governor warns against "radical tendencies"
"Unfortunately, radical tendencies have now taken root in Austria," explains Mikl-Leitner. For this reason, Lower Austria has decided to launch an "action plan against radical political Islam". The renowned sociologist Kenan Güngör is actively helping with this. It is particularly important to recognize problematic tendencies at an early stage and to act quickly, for example in kindergartens or schools.

Counseling and monitoring center planned
The Provincial Governor: "One thing is certain: our action plan will include an advice and monitoring center for radical Islam." Cooperation between institutions such as nurseries, child and youth welfare services, schools, youth work, integration associations and the police is also key: "We want to establish a network here". Special attention will be paid to "promoting democratic values and strengthening social skills among children and young people", said Mikl-Leitner.