27. 07. 10. - 12:00

Foreign minister under fire after 'active immigration' appeal

Right-wing opposition chiefs have turned their guns on Michael Spindelegger after the People’s Party (ÖVP) foreign minister called for "active immigration policies".

Spindelegger warned yesterday (Mon) the Austrian social and healthcare system could collapse due to the accelerating ageing of society. And he called for a programme to help 100,000 migrants settle in Austria by 2030.

The minister stressed those participating in the programme must be qualified and well educated to take on jobs in Austria.

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) reacted furiously to Spindelegger’s appeal while Social Democratic (SPÖ) Labour Minister Rudolf Hundstorfer welcomed it.

Deputy FPÖ boss Norbert Hofer stressed his party wanted to give "hardworking immigrants a chance" but said it would dismiss Spindelegger’s suggestions.

Hofer said: "The government would be well advised to press on with shunting off criminal immigrants who poison our children with drugs."

Gerald Grosz, head of the BZÖ’s Styrian department, labelled the foreign minister’s plans "extremely dangerous". Grosz pointed out that the situation on the Austrian labour market was still critical due to the fragile and slow recovery of the economy.

"The summery ideas of the foreign minister are more stupid than anything else," he added.

Statistik Austria meanwhile announced the Austrian population would shrink from around 8.5 million to 5.7 million by 2075 without any immigration.

The state agency also pointed out that 18 per cent of people living in Austria were older than 65, adding that their number was on the rise. The body also said that the current average age of Austrians was 41.5 years at the moment, up from 39 years ten years ago.