The SPÖ answers the questions of the Carinthian home service

Which measures are most urgent for your party in the next legislative period of the Carinthian state parliament to ensure the well-being of the state and its citizens?
SPÖ: In the coming legislative period, we will make kindergarten attendance free for everyone, are gradually reducing groups and increasing teachers' salaries. With this and with the expansion of all-day school offers, we increase the future prospects of our children and improve the compatibility of family and work. We will cooperate with the economy - like Industrie-HAK, Chemie-HTL, Apprenticeship with/after Matura, Teaching and studying – moving forward. The University of Klagenfurt will offer new subjects and together with the University of Education, the University of Applied Sciences and the Gustav Mahler Private University for Music to position Carinthia internationally as an education country. On the one hand, we support employees financially with their job-securing further training through the education grant of the state of Carinthia, on the other hand, via the qualification support for employees, which is complementary to the AMS. Qualification is the key to sustainable job security. At the same time, with our strategies in the field of economic development, we ensure the expansion of qualified jobs in Carinthia, to counteract migration and our SMEs in a targeted manner with future issues, of digitization, through innovation to sustainable forms of production, to support.

In the area of ​​protection of the natural landscape, the environment and the climate?
protection of the natural landscape:
SPÖ: Countrywide are currently 24,14 percent of Carinthia's area under protection. The recently published Austrian Biodiversity Strategy 2030+ sees u. a. before, 30 percent of the country's area to be protected in the long term. Carinthia is on the right track, to achieve this goal. In our nature conservation work, we focus on promoting extensive and near-natural management of the areas under protection. In addition to contractual nature conservation, the promotion of land purchases for the long-term securing of land for nature conservation purposes is also important for the SPÖ, an animal that is now rare in Carinthia- and better protect plant species. Targeted reintroduction measures have made it possible, for example, to threaten endangered species such as the German tamarisk and the dwarf cattail from extinction. A sand biotope was created in the Dobratsch Nature Park near Müllnern, to provide an indispensable habitat for the rarest animal, insects- and create plant species. The key species of this biotope is the pine weevil, a kind of butterfly, which represents a gem for Carinthia. It is fully protected and included in the Red List of Carinthia's endangered species ,classified as critically endangered. That's why it's so important to keep this location near Müllnern, because there are hardly any habitats left for this rare butterfly species, which requires a sandy environment, gives.
Based on the Austrian Biodiversity Strategy 2030+ we want to develop our own Carinthian biodiversity strategy in the next legislative period. For the protection of our nature- and cultural landscape is central to the continued positive development of the Carinthian parks, the u. a. should also be further promoted through cross-border cooperation.
The protection of the landscape must not be forgotten when expanding renewables. Therefore, there is also the following SPÖ prioritization for photovoltaics: roofs and facades, Landfills and already sealed areas in front of open spaces.

environmental Protection:
SPÖ: It applies to the environment, the extensive monitoring of air, Water (including lakes and rivers) and floors further to the latest state of the art. Everything has to be done in the waste area, to conserve valuable resources and generate less hazardous waste. Waste management must be understood as a circular economy - according to the motto waste avoidance before recycling and before disposal. This can only be achieved together with the population, which is why the awareness-raising measures should be further strengthened (from toddler age).
In recent years, air quality has been greatly improved in Carinthia, primarily through the expansion of renewable district heating (u. a. also much less particulate matter). It applies now, further expand and condense existing district heating areas.

climate protection:
SPÖ: The SPÖ Kärnten stands for honest, socially acceptable climate policy. That means, it's about social justice and not about “cost it, whatever it may". Many should not pay for the sins of the few - the polluter pays principle must be observed. To our goal, climate neutrality 2040, to reach, we are working within the framework of the climate agenda with the climate study and subsequently with the climate strategy, but also with the Carinthian energy master plan on a well-founded scientific basis.
The most urgent is in this area, that we continue to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport and heating sectors. This should be done through incentives and not through bans. In the heating area, they are accurate, attractive promotions, to completely phase out fossil fuels. In the transport sector, it is the further expansion of public transport (plus offer extension, clock compression), so that this becomes more attractive for the people in Carinthia than the car.
And of course it's about the continuous expansion of renewable energies according to the Carinthian energy master plan, to further implement the optimal energy mix for Carinthia. We also rely on attractive ones, long-term grants, to empower people, to be part of the solution. However, this must also be accompanied by an expansion offensive of the network infrastructure. The Carinthian energy master plan may be noted, that this is continuously evaluated and adapted to changing framework conditions. Climate protection only works together, no one must be left behind!

In the field of social justice and the preservation of prosperity?
SPÖ: In addition to answering the question 1: When we on the part of the SPÖ Carinthia assure people that we are "always at your side"., then that means first of all, to compensate for social imbalances, create social justice and secure prosperity. We do this primarily with support services, which have legal reliability and are not alms for petitioners. Among other things, we adjust our social benefits every year, such as housing assistance, of inflation, and increase our grants, Example heating subsidy. is essential, that we also help small and medium-sized businesses - and that is exactly what we are doing with our measures, which guarantee social security, especially during the inflation wave. Social justice is to be seen as a comprehensive project, that leaves no area of ​​our lives untouched! This ranges from the "Junges Wohnen" project to upper rent limits and the Carinthian children's grant, with which parents are currently up to 3000 Save euros per year and per child in childcare costs. And it's enough from the Carinthia Bonus Plus 2023 in the amount of 600 euros for around 70.000 eligible households, through the promotion of new forms of gainful employment to the further reduction of the deductible for mobile services.

In the field of education and job security?
SPÖ: We make kindergarten attendance free for everyone, shrink groups & increase teachers' salaries. With it & With the expansion of all-day schools, we are increasing our children's future prospects & improve family compatibility & Profession. We will cooperate with the economy - like Industrie-HAK, Chemie-HTL, Apprenticeship with/after Matura, Teaching and studying – moving forward. The University of Klagenfurt will offer new subjects & together with PH, FH, GMPU Position Carinthia internationally as an education country.

What attitude does your party take towards Heimat- and traditional associations, who feel committed to maintaining national patriotism and the traditions of defensive struggles and referendums?
SPÖ: For more than ten years we have been observing a clear change of heart in politics at home- and traditional associations, which has led to a general climate improvement in the relationship between our ethnic groups. Today will be an appreciative discourse, mainly due to the willingness of the former KHD chairman Josef Feldner and the chairman of the Slovenian central association to engage in dialogue, Marjan storm, was advanced, understood as the basis of a successful reconciliation process. We can all be proud of this development, as well as the celebrations of 100. anniversary of the referendum: Our attitude towards the home associations is correspondingly positive and appreciative.

How do you rate the joint commemoration for all victims of war, Dictatorship and violence on Carinthian soil?
SPÖ: Common commemoration of the victims of this barbarism connects us across generations. It helps us, to overcome the traumata that are still having an effect today and to build our society according to the civilizational principles of mutual respect, to provide help and solidarity.

What is your understanding?- and reconciliation work of the home associations in relation to the Carinthian minority issue and ethnic group politics?
SPÖ: As already indicated, I have the utmost respect for it: I consider the homeland associations' contribution to settling the conflict between ethnic groups to be one of the outstanding achievements in the history of our federal state and the Second Republic. As a result, the political and social climate in Carinthia has improved to a great extent, that is now gradually visible- and becomes noticeable - also in an economical way, cultural and above all interpersonal level.

What measures do you want to take to preserve the historically grown Carinthian identity, the indispensable part is also the Slovene language and culture?
SPÖ: Identities manifest and maintain themselves primarily through people's self-understanding and cultural self-assurance, that fill them with life. Politicians can and should make this possible by providing appropriate financial framework conditions - we are already doing this and will continue to do so.

What measures do you want to take in the future to maintain and strengthen the Alps-Adriatic Peace Region??
SPÖ: Since the founding of the Alps-Adriatic working group and also as part of the 2013 every joint project, that brings people from this room together, be understood as preparatory peace work.
The Alps-Adriatic Alliance is currently chaired by the province of Styria, which has a clear focus on the Western Balkans as part of its external contacts. In this context, we aim to include the Serbian Autonomous Province of Vojvodina in the Alps-Adriatic Alliance, which of course could also have positive effects with regard to peace work.
Various civil society initiatives are also involved, especially those of Prof. Werner Wintersteiner (he taught at the Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt) explicitly with peace work in the Alps-Adriatic region.

Which projects would you initiate in the sense of "senza confini" in the coming years?
SPÖ: The importance of Europe for Carinthia is beyond dispute. It is the task of the state of Carinthia, To help shape Europe in these crucial times and to let Carinthia's voice in Europe get louder and louder. This is the only way for the state of Carinthia to have a say in this, that we can continue to live in a peaceful Europe in the future - in one Europe, in dem Innovation, Research and Development, economic progress and social justice prevail. This is how the existing collaborations with the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, later trilaterally together with the Veneto region, in the European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EVTZ) Senza Confini institutionally consolidated. Carinthia will soon have a second EGTC together with Slovenia through the EGTC Geopark Karawanken. The Euregio has also developed into an important database for cross-border cooperation. At the same time, the Euregio will develop through cooperation with the economic- and chambers of labour, set up more social partnerships in the future. In addition to the cooperation at the regional level through the EGTC, the increased cooperation at the local level will bring the commonalities to the fore in the future. The first steps towards this were taken with the establishment of initiatives supported by the local population (The CLLD Region) set.
Project development will continue to focus on these areas in the coming years:

• mobility: Public transport does not yet function smoothly across borders. Improvements in cross-border traffic also contribute to counteracting demographic change and the common economic area will be strengthened. There are several projects there, coordinated with each other to form a network.
• Measures to maintain and strengthen the peace region in terms of international understanding and cooperation.
• Promote exchange of young people to learn the neighboring language and to strengthen the cohesion.
• Intensify economic connections and strengthen cooperation.

What possibilities do you see with regard to the shutdown and safeguarding of the Krsko nuclear power plant?
SPÖ: Am 16.01.2023 The SI Ministry of Environment issued an environmental permit for extending the service life of the Krško NPP 20 years to 2043. This completes the environmental impact assessment (RRP) completed. This decision by the Slovenian authorities is absolutely disappointing and difficult to understand from the point of view of our children and grandchildren. The decision to extend the life of this reactor, which stands directly on an earthquake line not far from our border, and who has caused more than one moment of shock in the past, in no way corresponds to a responsible energy policy of the future. I would have expected, that Slovenia has just as much energy in considerations for the development of renewable energy, where Carinthia as European champion, gladly stands by with his know-how and advice and action, plugged, as in his efforts, to extend the operation of these ancient nuclear power plants at any cost. I now expect the Austrian Federal Government to act in a clear and united manner. Slovenia would have to submit a binding plan together with co-owner Croatia, how they will replace nuclear power as quickly as possible.

How do you feel about the dialogue between former opponents of the political and military conflicts of the 20. century?
SPÖ: It is, especially in view of the current events in Ukraine, a consolation for some in human reason (ver-)doubting contemporaries, that even bitter enemies can find their way back to peace: nothing else is the meaning of the dialogue, des Dialogs. We have that in our home country, seen in our history. Even if you don't know the war, can appreciate, how precious our peace is and how valuable the ability to dialogue is.

What possibilities do you see for the old Austrian remaining ethnic group with German mother tongue in Slovenia to obtain ethnic group rights?
SPÖ: We are already supporting this ethnic group in Slovenia - as well as the German-speaking minority in today's Romania - within the scope of our financial possibilities from the budget funds of the ethnic group office located in the office. I emphasize this in every conversation with my Slovenian counterparts, that we demand the same rights for the German-speaking ethnic group in Slovenia as they do, which apply to our Slovene ethnic group in Carinthia. We will continue to strive for improvements.