The motto of the 70th Austrian Municipal Day is “Shaping the future together. Energy. Technology. Nature”. Van der Bellen and the other speakers all cited last weekend’s storm as a primary focus, which caused extensive damage, particularly in Lower Austria. The federal president met the state leadership group in Tulln on Wednesday: “I was impressed with how they responded to this case.”
You can’t be prepared for everything: “You can’t control every stream,” van der Bellen said, but crisis management worked well. Apart from the authorities, many private persons also helped to deal with the disaster. “It is no exaggeration to say that even if the whole country is submerged in water, the country will not sink.”
Van der Bellen: “Climate crisis is real”
According to him, the disaster showed two things: “Our solidarity is strong and the climate crisis is real.” Van der Bellen pointed out that extreme weather events can cost people their livelihoods or even their lives. Signs of global warming are now being eliminated. But it’s important to fight the causes, so he demanded: “That is, to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” As of the last few days, I am not worried,” the federal president said.
Family Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) thanked the emergency services, mayors and volunteers on behalf of the federal government: “This solidarity is a great treasure and foundation of values in Austria.” Removed from affected areas. Disaster relief funds have also been increased for this. In his role as family minister, he thanked the mayors for promoting family-friendliness in their municipalities every day: “We want Austria to be a family-first country.”
Community Association Leader: “Valley of Tears”
Municipal Association President Johannes Pressl thanked the recent financial balance and the municipal package, but made demands on the central government: “We also know what’s coming, and I’ll be completely honest: it’s a valley of tears.” If there are some lean years in the economy, municipal revenues will be “flat.” meaning At the same time, municipal costs will increase. “The community association will continue to work to ensure we receive additional funding,” Brasl promised.
Among other things, he emphasized the vertical distribution force in favor of the municipalities for the 2028 financial equation: “We have set a target of 15 percent, and we need work-related grants, and the appointment of assistant professors should be funded by the central government. The community association leader also spoke against competition among themselves for resident doctors. In relation to the storm, the community Pressl noted his proposal for a soil conservation plan and insurance settlement that the association had adopted.
Municipalities face challenges
The mayor of Güssing, Vinzenz Knor (SPÖ), welcomed on behalf of the Association of Cities: “The financial equation and the municipal package are the first steps to help us handle all the tasks.” , will require big steps, Knorr insisted: “I want us to be heard.”
Deputy State Governor Astrid Eisenkopf (SPÖ) thanked all the volunteers over the past few days and noted that the motto of the 70th Community Day was “shaping the future together”. Energy. Technology. Nature”. The future presents municipalities with many challenges; she firmly believes: “If we join together, we can change a lot for the better.”