The parliament of the state of Lower Austria has approved a set of new measures aimed at tackling radical Islam and handing out stricter penalties for families deemed “unwilling to integrate.”
Parents of kindergarten children who are unwilling to comply with certain obligations, such as attending parent-teacher meetings, could face a fine of up to €2,500 or up to six weeks in prison.
The new measures also introduce a burqa ban for state employees, and prohibit public sector workers from attending “radical mosques” or being involved in the activities of radical Islamic associations.
Additionally, the traditions, customs, and democratic values of Austria have been anchored in the state constitution, which are now to be taught more extensively in schools.
Reflecting how serious the problems caused by migration are, the laws were passed by not only the government parties, the centre-right People’s Party (ÖVP) and the right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ), but also by the opposition Social Democrats.
Deputy state governor Udo Landbauer (FPÖ) said the people of Lower Austria “want to live in freedom, security, and peace without the influence of Islamism,” adding:
We don’t need an imported culture war in the classroom.
Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) described the measures as an effort to “drain the Islamist swamps.”
