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In his TV address on National Day, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen called on us to work together to find solutions to the many challenges we currently face. To do this, we must “let go of old recipes” and “dare to try something new,” he said in his speech on Saturday evening. He also recommended “new approaches” in terms of approach, style, and results for the future federal government. At the same time, he swore the population to painful reforms.
“There is no painless way to solve the problems” was one of the simple but uncomfortable truths the Federal President conveyed to everyone in Austria. Specifically, he named problems that “will not solve themselves”: climate damage, the volatile security architecture, migration problems, demographic change, inflation, social problems, the structural European economic crisis, digitalization, artificial intelligence, hostility towards performance, and a “new egoism.”
Danger for society
Because of the “force with which the major changes are happening,” many people are pessimistic, have withdrawn into their own personal advancement, or feel powerless. “That’s human, but this feeling must not turn into indifference,” warned Van der Bellen, as this would be dangerous for society.
To solve future problems, “new solutions” are needed, the Federal President also said in the direction of the new federal government that is to be formed. The head of state also made many recommendations for action in his speech, including reducing emissions and finding a solution to migration problems, whereby immigrants are only welcome if they learn German, recognize the culture and legal system, and fully support equal rights for men and women and respect for homosexuals. Van der Bellen also called for reforms to the welfare state, the pension system, health, and care; he pleaded for an increase in productivity, the transformation of industry, a new effective defense policy, answers for the education system, and “finally all-day childcare across the board in Austria.”
Van der Bellen appealed to all people in Austria, specifically to politicians, political parties, members of parliament, provincial governors, mayors, local councilors, employee and employer representatives, civil society organizations, and volunteers, saying that this could only succeed if everyone worked together to find solutions.
- Hector Pascua/picture: screenshot: orf.at
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