01/15/2023 12:37 (act. 01/15/2023 12:37)
Further Better Understanding ©APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER
The president of the National Council, Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP), defended the presence of the former president of the German Bundestag, Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU), at the opening of the parliament. It was about moving from moralization to objectification. Schäuble caused problems, especially among the Greens and SPÖ, because he indirectly opposed the genre and expressed understanding for criticism of corona and climate protection measures.
Sobotka now said on the ORF program “Hohes Haus” that he had made the invitation very consciously. After there were criticisms of his election beforehand, he would be prepared to uninvite Schäuble again. That would not have been embarrassing, the president said when asked about it. Because Schäuble wouldn’t have seen that as a problem.
In the face of criticism of the president’s solitary decisions, Sobotka basically maintained that more discussion might be needed to reach a consensus. Sobotka justified the fact that he did not comply with the desire to set the dates in the dispute between the factions about the last day of the U-committee with the uses. He also pointed out that otherwise there is always criticism that he decides too much on his own.
As for the Bösendorfer grand piano in Parliament, which was controversial because of the cost of renting it, Sobotka reported that he even had a sponsor who paid for the piano. But the Republic must not accept any gifts. Now there is a variant where the grand piano can be bought after a few years, taking into account the rent.