The government of Lower Austria is moving ahead with new measures targeting what it describes as "integration refusers." At a government conference in Tulln, the ÖVP-FPÖ state coalition reaffirmed its "zero tolerance" approach and outlined a series of policy changes that will take effect later this year, as reported by ORF.
Here's what they've agreed on so far.
Fines for parents and new kindergarten rules
One of the key measures is a fine of up to €2,500 for parents who “refuse” to attend mandatory parental interviews in kindergartens.
Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner said that legal changes will be introduced before the summer so they can take effect by September 2025. She stated that the government wants to "put parents who are unwilling to integrate in their place" and ensure stricter enforcement of cultural and language expectations in early education.
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Deputy Governor Udo Landbauer said penalties should also apply to parents who refuse to speak to a female teacher, arguing that "they must see that we mean business."
Measures against 'radical Islam'
The government is also pressing ahead with its action plan against what it calls "radical Islam." A state security council is expected to be approved in early March, according to Der Standard.
Mikl-Leitner said the initiative is necessary to "drain the Islamist swamps in our country," referencing recent violent incidents such as the Villach knife attack and the foiled terrorist plot at Vienna’s Westbahnhof. She described Lower Austria as "the first and so far only federal state" addressing the issue comprehensively, from kindergartens and schools to mosques, clubs, and organisations.
Landbauer added that the government must "track down, root out and smash these networks."
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A burqa ban in the civil service
The coalition also wants to ban the burqa in the state civil service, even though, as Mikl-Leitner admitted, there are currently no civil servants wearing one. She said the ban is necessary to "close a gap in the law."
Landbauer framed the policy as part of the FPÖ’s broader cultural stance, saying the government is prioritising "blue-yellow instead of rainbow politics"—a reference to Lower Austria’s state colours and a rejection of progressive policies. He said the government is "putting the normal before the abnormal."
Economic and administrative reforms
Beyond its integration policies, the Lower Austrian government plans to increase economic investments and implement a three-point plan to streamline state administration.
The coalition has announced €4.2 billion in planned investments over the next two years, focusing on expanding childcare, housing, and road construction.
The government is also working on a new system to cut down on bureaucracy. The plan includes better coordination of official experts, faster permit approvals, and more online services to make things easier for businesses.
The policies have drawn criticism from opposition parties. NEOS described the ÖVP-FPÖ government as offering "a continuation of the standstill." Party leader Indra Collini said the government lacks vision and is failing to address Lower Austria’s real challenges.
Critics also argue that the focus on punitive measures against foreigners is more about political messaging than practical governance, pointing out that policies like the burqa ban appear to be largely symbolic.
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