“The Austrian peculiarity in the pandemic is the presence of a political force in parliament that acts irresponsibly against science and stirs collective fears,” said Schallenberg.
“The biggest difference between Austria and other European countries is that the third party in our parliament is openly and loudly against vaccination and denies that it is the only way out of the pandemic,” declared the Chancellor. The Chancellor also blamed “social and historical factors”, including the spread of so-called natural medicine, for the low vaccination rate in German-speaking countries. “But I repeat, we have political forces that act against science,” said Schallenberg.
Political forces that act against science
When asked about compulsory vaccination, Schallenberg replied: “The number of infections is increasing exponentially. I may have hoped for too long that we could convince as many Austrians as possible to vaccinate themselves voluntarily. Unfortunately, it didn’t work, and with one We will not get out of this vicious circle with a vaccination rate of 66 percent in the total population, “warned Schallenberg.
The mandatory vaccination should come into force in Austria on February 1, 2022. “Before that, everyone who is not vaccinated will receive a notification asking them to do so. Anyone who does not do so by that date will have to pay a heavy fine. But for me it is the last resort,” he explains.
Schallenberg also expressed the hope of saving the ski season with the 2G rule. “But we also have to see what is happening in the neighboring countries. Germany is starting a lockdown,” explained Schallenberg.
Regarding the situation of the thousands of refugees on the borders of Belarus, Schallenberg said: “We have to make it clear that the EU cannot be blackmailed. The approach (by the Belarusian ruler Alexander) Lukashenko is a cynical abuse of the weakest of the weak. Austria stands for Poland, Lithuania and Latvia aside. We have to support them financially to build the necessary infrastructure at their borders, “said Schallenberg.
Regarding the reform of the European Stability Pact, the Chancellor said: “We are all in an exceptional situation and it was right to suspend it. But the reasons for its existence are still there. We must therefore return to budgetary discipline”.
Source From: Nachrichten
