After Villach attack: Carinthian SPÖ and ÖVP demand tougher asylum rules

These are almost all addressed to a new federal government, depending on their jurisdiction. They only differ in nuances - the parties have in common calls for a ban on political Islam, messenger surveillance and restrictions on the granting of asylum.

At a press conference called at short notice, the SPÖ called for, among other things, an upper limit on asylum seekers, thereby supporting a request from Villach Mayor Günther Albel (SPÖ). Other points concern the consistent deportation of dangerous individuals, a waiting period for access to social benefits for those entitled to asylum, and the obligation of social media platforms to delete anti-democratic content. The SPÖ also wants more staff for the police and the State Security and Intelligence Directorate, background checks for asylum procedures, asylum procedure centers at the EU's external borders, and a mandatory year of integration.

The ÖVP's urgent wish is for "ongoing screening of Syrians and Afghans for potential danger" and a concrete stop to the admission of asylum seekers from Syria and Afghanistan. Following radical and extremist content should be considered grounds for deportation, and state party chairman Martin Gruber (ÖVP) also reiterated his call for a legal ban on TikTok. In addition to a "work requirement for asylum seekers", the ÖVP also wants a waiting period for access to social benefits. While the SPÖ did not provide any information on a duration, the ÖVP set it at five years.

Since almost all of these issues fall under the responsibility of the federal government, how high are the chances that these points will be implemented? "I assume that all the measures we are calling for here will also be implemented," explained SPÖ parliamentary group leader Herwig Seiser when asked. This also applies to the asylum cap, which in the past had raised concerns from the federal SPÖ. Gruber believes that there has been a growing awareness that messenger surveillance needs to be implemented.

How ongoing screening of Syrians and Afghans is to be possible, given their sheer numbers, still needs to be worked out, said Gruber: "Basically, it is important to create the legal possibility to be able to carry out checks in private accommodation." Possible clues as to who could be checked could come from values ​​courses, for example, "based on the feedback on who is willing to get involved and who is only reluctant to stay there," said Gruber. And as far as a ban on admissions from these two countries is concerned, he does see a possibility for implementation: "There is a change in both countries. The Villach attacker, for example, stated in the asylum procedure that he fled because he did not want to be drafted into military service. This reason would no longer apply."

The FPÖ called for the state parliament session in the wake of the terrorist attack in Villach on February 15, in which a 23-year-old Syrian killed a 14-year-old youth and injured five people, some of them critically. ÖVP parliamentary group leader Markus Malle said that the FPÖ was free to take this step. However, it was another question "whether it was wise to pour oil on the fire now." The timing of the FPÖ's request - "on the first day after the end of the week of mourning" - was also wrong. SPÖ parliamentary group leader Seiser said before the session that he had "great confidence" in his colleagues that "concern, empathy and serious action will prevail. At least that is what I hope." He appealed to the participants: "The more united you are, the greater your assertiveness."