Kaiser, Breiteneder, Seltenheim, Seeker: Are ready at any time. Austria needs strong social democracy. SPÖ Carinthia is pushing the expansion of company childcare.
Klagenfurt (OTS) – The first meeting of the regional party executive committee of the SPÖ Carinthia in 2024 was dedicated to the “super election year 2024”. Important elections are not only coming up in Austria; around half of humanity will vote worldwide this year, including the USA and India. The two SPÖ federal managing directors Sandra Breiteneder and Klaus Seltenheim were guests at the Carinthian state party executive committee today to coordinate topics and content. The common consensus was: It is important to work with positive examples and models that advance Austria and its people – Carinthia is a model country in many areas.
“One lever for combating the shortage of skilled workers is a functioning childcare system. I am very happy that we managed to set up free kindergarten for all children in Carinthia in autumn 2023. In addition, we have been creating the possibility of installing childcare facilities directly in companies in Carinthia for some time now. 71 percent of all employed women in Austria work part-time – also because there are no adequate childcare options. Improvements need to be made here – the possibility exists in Carinthia and it would not only be a method of reducing the fluctuation of workers and retaining qualified people in the company. This step would also be a sign of appreciation for the employees and ultimately an advantage for the Carinthian location,” explained LH Kaiser. The housing policy, the non-contributory kindergartens and daycare centers or the fact that all practical statutory health insurance doctor positions in Carinthia are filled are proof that one can also go into an election year with positive examples.
“This super election year 2024 will undoubtedly be a challenging but also important election year. The AK elections will take place in Carinthia in March – the aim is to maintain the best result ever achieved in a Chamber of Labor election by the faction of Social Democratic trade unionists and President Günther Goach with 77.6 percent. This will be followed by the European elections, where our main priority is to continue the successful European cooperation that has made Carinthia a net recipient. It will be an exciting election – with Federal Councilor Claudia Arpa we have a high-profile and experienced top candidate who has a good chance of entering the European Parliament,” said state party chairman LH Peter Kaiser in the press conference after the state party executive committee.
When asked about possible early National Council elections, LH Kaiser made it clear: “The decision about early elections is the responsibility of the federal government, but if we as the SPÖ can recommend something in the interest of the Austrians: the earlier we vote, the better! There needs to be a strong social democracy in the federal government,” said Kaiser.
“Chancellor Nehammer is campaigning – he is not doing politics for Austria,” stated Federal Managing Director Sandra Breiteneder. “So far, this federal government has had a catastrophic record: failure in the inflation crisis, no sufficient measures on energy, housing and food prices. Chancellor Nehammer should not give speeches, but rather deliver government proposals. We, the SPÖ, have concrete plans to cushion inflation and reform the health system – from adequate pay for nursing staff and nursing students to specialist appointments within 14 days. We have detailed proposals here and want a “reform chancellor” Andi Babler to lead the way in Austria and not a “people’s chancellor” Kickl, who will lead our country into chaos,” said Breiteneder.
“On April 6th, as part of our Carinthia conference, the candidates for the National Council election will be decided,” explains the regional manager of the SPÖ Carinthia, Andreas Sucher, who also firmly states: “Whether elections or not: never again fascism, never “No more human hatred, never again anti-Semitism – this ‘never again’ begins now,” said the state manager of the SPÖ Carinthia, Andreas Sucher.
(Ending)
Questions & Contact:
SPÖ Carinthia
+43(0)463/577 88
www.kaernten.spoe.at
SPÖ regional organization Carinthia
Lidmanskygasse 15
9020 Klagenfurt a.W.