It’s been two years since Wolfgang Stanek, President of the Landtag, called for a Democracy Forum. More than 250 participants registered. Collected suggestions in video conferences and online debates on how to improve democracy in Upper Austria. They were supported by the Upper Austria Business Location Initiative (IWS).
Stanek is no longer in office. And his successor Max Hiegelsberger presented the results, the Green Paper. It summarizes the suggestions and wishes of the participants. “A vibrant democracy is more than voting on election day. It thrives on the commitment of everyone, on critical and intensive discourse,” says Hiegelsberger. Democracy is not a sure-fire success, says IWS Managing Director Gottfried Kneifel, and it always needs new impetus.
doubts and lack of knowledge
The Austrian Democracy Monitor by the SORA institute found that 19 percent of citizens can see positive things in a “strong leader who doesn’t have to worry about parliament and elections”. In the economically weakest third of society, only 33 percent said they trust parliamentarism. A result that is also reflected in the Green Paper.
Democracy is not in danger in Austria, but there is a lack of understanding. Young people in particular have deep doubts. In addition, the quality of some political debates is questionable. The participants also address the practical constraint. Using the example of climate change: Some politicians would reject any debate on measures on principle alone. “Climate policy must not be disputed, it must be implemented quickly,” they summarize. “Because it’s almost too late anyway.”
role model for others
The Green Paper will be made available to all parliamentary groups in the state parliament. However, the state parliament is not starting from scratch: it has already discussed some of the demands collected in the green paper in the two previous sessions of the current legislative period. The green paper will also be sent to the other state parliaments and the Bundesrat. To serve as a basis for discussion there as well.
Source: Nachrichten
