Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) is considering tightening the Islamic law. She stated in an APA interview that, in practice, there are problems with certain mosques. The specifics of potential changes are still under discussion. For the headscarf ban for children, Plakolm is thinking of a tiered model. Whether the civilian service should also be extended along with the extended military service is still an open question for the responsible minister.
First, Plakolm emphasized the importance of waiting for the expert commission planned by the Ministry of Defense. However, she has always had a good collaboration with the defense minister and aims to make both areas more attractive for young people.
What will certainly happen is the return of the voluntary extension of civilian service. This is particularly interesting for young men who want to bridge the time before starting their education. It would also support institutions, as civilian service often serves as a transition to a career in one of those fields.
A more controversial topic concerning the youth is the planned headscarf ban until the age of 14. Plakolm is determined to implement it: “We will not allow young girls to be oppressed.” Women are mostly veiled in countries where radical Islam is on the rise.
There is still no fixed model for the ban, as Plakolm wants to consult experts. She said that a tiered model was proposed, which would start with a conversation with the parents, then possibly involve school psychologists before any sanctions are applied: “For us, it is clear that we need action here.”
Regarding the integration program, Plakolm explicitly supports the planned mandatory program for asylum seekers and refugees with a high likelihood of staying. She believes that expectations must be clear and that sanctions must be in place if the program is not followed: “Otherwise, it would be toothless.” Plakolm plans to model this after successful initiatives in Lower and Upper Austria, where half of social benefits can be cut: “This lever works.”
Plakolm also acknowledges the problem of radicalization in connection with radical Islam. She believes that the Islamic law needs to be updated, as there are issues with some mosques. “We need to take action here.”
Plakolm also supports the promotion of Austrian holiday culture, which is included in the government program: “As a society, we need to stop being alienated from our own traditions.” Values like sharing and solidarity, which are conveyed during celebrations like St. Martin’s and Harvest Festivals, should be upheld in all religions. She wants to maintain these activities in educational institutions, even in those without Catholic children: “We want these traditions to be clearly named and celebrated in schools.”
Regarding members of the Protestant Church who want Good Friday to be reinstated as a public holiday, Plakolm has no good news. “We have not included any measure for this in the government program,” says the Minister. She emphasizes that the abolition of the holiday was based on a ruling by the highest court, not a government decision, and she will discuss this with the Protestant community.
Criticism came from the FPÖ: Security spokesman Gernot Darmann expressed concern that, as with other ÖVP announcements, the implementation might “fall by the wayside.” Plakolm is spending her time “on sanctions for uncommitted values courses, rather than considering that the very necessity of forcing people into such courses is proof of her failed mass migration and knife migration policy.” Darmann called for an end to the phase of “empty promises and hollow phrases” from the ÖVP and demanded that “real action” be taken.
