Open letter to the ÖVP: Commitment to democracy and Europe in the coalition agreement!

Vienna, January 9, 2025 - The pan-European party Volt makes an urgent appeal to the Austrian People's Party: In an open letter, Volt chapters from all over Europe call on the ÖVP to draw unequivocal red lines in the coalition agreement with the FPÖ in order to protect the values of democracy, the rule of law and European integration.

Jan 9, 2025

“In its history as a European party, the ÖVP has made a decisive contribution to Austria's stability and its role in the EU. At a time of growing global challenges, it is more important than ever that Austria stands firmly by its commitments to the European Union and universal human rights,” reads the letter, which was sent to the federal party chairman Christian Stocker and the ÖVP press spokesman Peter Treml on January 9.

Volt Austria makes following demands:

  1. An unconditional commitment to Austria's membership of the EU and an active commitment to a strong, democratic Europe.

  2. The non-negotiable preservation of the rule of law and fundamental rights, including the independence of the media and institutions.

  3. A clear demarcation from extremist and hateful positions, racism and anti-Semitism.

  4. The establishment of an independent control mechanism to monitor compliance with these principles.

There must always be compromises in a coalition - but these must not be made on the fundamental values of democracy itself and European cooperation.