In the ORF “press hour”, Edtstadler emphasized that the government had brought in various experts and no one said that this was not possible. In addition, the European Court of Human Rights has already confirmed this in the event that children are required to be vaccinated in the Czech Republic.
The ÖVP minister emphasized that the preliminary examination by the Constitutional Court required by the FPÖ could not be carried out because it was not planned. However, she pointed out that citizens not only have rights, but also obligations. Edtstadler is also of the opinion that compulsory vaccination is less of an encroachment than the lockdown that begins tomorrow, Monday. She admitted that she had ruled out such a step until recently, but reality taught her better in view of the low vaccination rate and the high number of infections.
Video: Edtstadler on compulsory vaccination
There should be administrative penalties for people who do not adhere to them. But people will first be invited to a vaccination appointment and only then, if that doesn’t work, will fines be issued. She left the amount of the penalties open, but she can imagine a graduated approach. A guideline could be the up to 3,600 euros that are already included in a draft for the planned mandatory vaccination for health professions. In any case, there will be exceptions for people who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. The question of how long the obligation should apply will still have to be regulated in the law, but Edtstadler can imagine that the duration could reach a certain vaccination rate. The minimum age still has to be clarified with experts.
“Grumpy and frustrated” about the new lockdown
Edtstadler was “grumpy”, “frustrated” and “sad” about the fact that the new lockdown was now necessary again. But one now has to put aside the emotions, the step is now necessary. The ÖVP minister asked everyone to take part. She admitted that the government had “not given a good picture” recently. Some decisions were made “too late” and, in retrospect, more vaccination campaigns should have been carried out in the summer. With the availability of a sufficient vaccine, one was probably too hopeful that people would also get vaccinated. But apparently it did not succeed in convincing those who have fears. One looked too much at those who are loud and demonstrated like on Saturday.
Even if the government did not give a good picture recently, everyone is now pulling together again to increase credibility. Edtstadler was “firmly convinced” that the turquoise-green coalition would last until the end of the legislative period in autumn 2024.
Video: Sebastian Kurz’s return and preliminary investigation
In connection with the investigation against ÖVP chairman Sebastian Kurz and other ÖVP politicians, the constitution minister expects the judiciary to investigate quickly. If everything is cleared up, Edtstadler sees no reason why Kurz could not return as Federal Chancellor. Regarding the attacks by the ÖVP against the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA), Edtstadler stated that no one was above the criticism. The ÖVP minister justified the fact that she did not protectively face the WKStA by saying that Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) was responsible for it and that she did it.
Edtstadler made it clear that it was about faster proceedings and not about curtailing the rights of the accused. You also do not want to restrict investigation methods, but there must be a proper legal basis for the seizure of cell phones and the production of deleted messages or cloud data, she demanded. The constitution minister also does not consider it necessary to “comment on every procedural step in the media”. If there are leaks from files, Edtstadler wants to make sure that you can understand where they come from. Edtstadler considers it right that Zadic is planning watermarks in the electronic file.
Edtstadler justified the fact that there is still no draft of the Council of Ministers’ drafts for the planned Freedom of Information Act by stating that the appraisal gave more than 200 opinions, some of which were clearly criticized. Concern was expressed that the administration would no longer be able to act in some parts with the abolition of official secrecy. They take these worries seriously. Everyone wants freedom of information, but according to the Floriani principle everyone wants it with others and not with themselves.
Source From: Nachrichten
