With the votes of the ÖVP, Greens, NEOS and at least parts of the SPÖ, the Federal Council will give its blessing to the corresponding proposal from the National Council. All that is then missing is the signature of the Federal President and an announcement until the corona vaccination is mandatory in Austria from the age of 18.
As in the National Council, the SPÖ will not fully agree. If it was only social spokesman Josef Muchitsch there, three red mandataries in the state chamber should reject the proposal, including at least the Salzburg state chairman David Egger. It was unclear in advance whether there would also be absences or even dissenting votes in the coalition. However, a majority is considered very likely.
The obligation to vaccinate should apply to all persons residing in Austria from the age of 18. Exceptions are made for pregnant women and those who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons, as well as for those who have recovered (for 180 days). The penalty ranges from 600 to 3,600 euros, but it will only be checked from mid-March.
Other topics in the Bundesrat are a speech by the current chairman of the state governors’ conference Markus Wallner (ÖVP), a “current hour” with Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and the decision on the tax reform.
FP-Haider fights compulsory vaccination
The FPÖ is taking action against compulsory vaccination at EU level. The Upper Austrian MEP Roman Haider has submitted a request to the Commission for the initiation of Article 7 proceedings against Austria because the vaccination law is a disproportionate encroachment on elementary fundamental rights and freedoms. In doing so, Austria is violating the basic values of the EU introduced in 1997 with the Amsterdam Treaty, Haider said on Wednesday in Vienna.
Source: Nachrichten
