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New Year’s speech: Van der Bellen wants a general overhaul of domestic policy

New Year’s speech: Van der Bellen wants a general overhaul of domestic policy

It is important “that you allow hope,” said the head of state in his speech, which will be broadcast on ORF on Sunday evening. Van der Bellen does not yet see the domestic “water damage” that he spoke of in October in connection with the ÖVP affair being repaired.

Van der Bellen spoke of steps not yet taken to dispel doubts about the integrity of politics. “The general renovation has still not started,” criticized the head of state: “And I would like to say this much at this point: the Austrians are waiting for it. And so am I.”

He cited this as one of several issues that raised fears that the coming year would be tougher than the previous one. Above all, Van der Bellen mentioned the economic situation with inflation and high energy prices as a result of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, but also the climate crisis with its effects and the consequences of the pandemic.

Nevertheless, the Federal President called for a willingness to be positively surprised by the coming year. “I know, some people find that naive. And some people can’t hear it anymore when I say ‘we’ll get it’ for what feels like the 100th time.” But it is important to allow hope and, like a ski racer, to mentally focus on the route and the best possible outcome.

Van der Bellen named important tasks that together made success as a community possible: from parents to people in care. Social affairs and medicine to teachers and students, politically committed people, journalists, business people, pensioners or the executive. “If we do all our daily tasks with optimism and good will and do our best within our very personal possibilities, step by step: then our year together will be good. Because that’s the best way for us to help each other,” said the Federal President .

Full text of the New Year’s speech

Dear Austrians and everyone who lives in Austria, I wish you a Happy New Year from the bottom of my heart.

It is still a blank slate. But secretly we all have expectations. We often think we know what is to come and many of us, I have to say this, also fear that the coming year will be tougher than the last. No wonder.

The economic situation with inflation and high energy prices as a result of the war of aggression in Ukraine is a challenge for our society. Not to mention the human suffering caused by Russia’s systematic attacks on civilian facilities. This is just terrible. Nor can we ignore the climate crisis and its effects, which are becoming more and more felt every year. And then there are the consequences of the pandemic, which we are still struggling with.

At the level of the European Union, our community is facing major upheavals. Europe must find and defend its geostrategic role.

And domestically, as if all that weren’t enough, we are still confronted with what I called “water damage”: doubts about the integrity of politics.

And there, too, corresponding steps have still not been taken. The general renovation has still not started.

And I would like to say this much at this point: The Austrians are waiting for it. And me too.

But still: I would like to invite you today not to make any hasty judgments about the year 2023.

Don’t give up before the new year has even started.

And to keep the possibility open in your mind that we will all be positively surprised by the coming year.

I know some people think that’s naive. And some can no longer hear it when I say “We’ll manage it” for what feels like the 100th time.

But still I have to and want to remind us all of one thing:

An important prerequisite for something to succeed is that you allow it.

Allowing hope. Allowing yourself to see the good things. Allowing the possibility of success in your head. Despite all the difficulties, you believe in a good outcome. Even if the framework conditions are extremely challenging.

An example: athletes know very well that a good competition begins in the mind.

That’s why you often see ski racers mentally ski down the course before the start. You already take every curve and every jump in your head as it would be ideal.

You know such pictures. This is characteristic of competitive athletes.

Some think that’s a bit strange. But it works: focus on the best possible outcome.

And we should all do that.

We may not all be competitive athletes, but each and every one of us has challenges to overcome every day. Important tasks that, taken together, enable our success as a community. The work of single mothers. Work in nursing and medical professions and in the whole social sector. The work of the teachers. The students. The voluntary associations – our civil society. The people who are politically active. The work of journalists. The work of employees in the economy. The entrepreneurs. of our middle class. The engineers. Our farmers. The work in tourism. The work of people in administration, executive and army. And of course the contribution of pensioners. Grandpas and grandmas, moms and dads.

If we do all our daily tasks with optimism and good will and do our best within our own personal possibilities, step by step: then our year together will be good. Because that’s the best way for us to help each other.

Dear Austrians and everyone who lives in Austria,

I wish you a happy new year from the bottom of my heart.

May it be better, easier and more beautiful than you expect. Good evening.

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This will bring 2023: More money and harsher penalties

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