Coalition has plans for compulsory German lessons before starting school
Children in Austria will be required to take German classes before starting school, following an agreement in the FPÖ-ÖVP coalition negotiations.
According to Kronen Zeitung, the policy will introduce language tests and courses in kindergartens and preschools to improve German skills before primary school.
Other proposals being discussed include increasing tuition fees to €500 per semester and redirecting funds toward vocational training programmes to address Austria’s skilled labour shortage.
The FPÖ also pushed for research papers to be written in German rather than English, though this measure is unlikely to pass.
Coalition negotiations: Bank levy under discussion
The proposed reintroduction of a bank levy has officially entered the FPÖ-ÖVP coalition negotiations.
The Freedom Party has long advocated for a levy on banks, and, according to ORF, discussions are now focused on a model where banks contribute a fund in the three-digit million range to support small and medium-sized businesses.
Meanwhile, the FPÖ has also included a proposal for raising Austria’s speed limit to 150 km/h, a policy that has sparked opposition from transport advocates.
Thousands expected to protest FPÖ-ÖVP coalition in Vienna
On February 4th, thousands are expected to march in Vienna against the likely FPÖ-ÖVP government.
The demonstration, organised by the group “wiederdonnerstag,” will mark the 25th anniversary of the first FPÖ-ÖVP coalition and will proceed from Ballhausplatz to the ÖVP headquarters, Vienna.at reported. Weekly themed protests are also planned, focusing on the impact of anticipated austerity measures.
Education union calls for more EU funding for migrant students
Austria’s AHS teachers’ union is calling on the government to demand additional EU funds to support students with migrant backgrounds.
Herbert Weiß, head of the AHS teachers’ union, argued that Austria should be treated as an “integration policy Objective 1 region,” similar to how economically weak areas received extra EU funding in the past, ORF reported.
He also criticised plans to cut education spending to comply with EU deficit rules.
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58-year-old serial burglar arrested in Vienna
A 58-year-old man suspected of committing 30 burglaries across three provinces was arrested in a Vienna hotel on Tuesday evening.
As Vienna.at reported, the suspect, who was linked to damages worth €138,000, was located after media coverage led to numerous public tips. He was arrested by Cobra special forces and has refused to make a statement.
Nicotine pouch use rising among young Austrians
While cigarette smoking among teenagers has dropped sharply over the past two decades, the use of nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes is increasing.
According to ORF, a government report found that 13 percent of 15-year-olds use nicotine pouches, with boys more affected than girls. Experts warn that nicotine addiction remains a major risk, and the government is considering a law banning the sale of pouches to minors.
Meanwhile, Austria continues to have high alcohol consumption, with 15 percent of the population drinking at levels harmful to their health.
Vienna’s education councillor pushes for primary school mobile phone ban
Vienna’s education councillor Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) has called for a ban on mobile phones in primary schools.
Speaking to Vienna.at, Wiederkehr proposed introducing mobile phone safes where students would store their devices during school hours. Carinthia and Styria are already drafting similar measures, and some Austrian states are considering a nationwide policy.
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