Around 300 people came to the “Glorious Bastards” restaurant in the Europark in Salzburg yesterday evening to see Andi Babler at the big “Andi Babler comes to you” event – including many SPÖ members, committed activists, members of sports and cultural clubs and employees of social and educational institutions. Mayor Bernhard Auinger, National Council member Michaela Schmidt, National Council election candidates Thom Kinberger, Andreas Haitzer and Manuela Laimer and other prominent guests followed Babler’s rousing speech: “I would like to exchange ideas with as many people as possible in the next few weeks and offer them solutions to their problems and challenges. A better Austria is possible. This requires a strong SPÖ in government responsibility. Together we have the strength to do things differently and therefore better.” His appeal: “Vote for your better Austria on September 29th!”
In the run-up to the event, Babler invited social institutions, educational institutions, small and medium-sized businesses, and cultural and sports clubs to ask him their questions. Around 100 questions were received, many of which revolved around political frustration in Austria. Babler found clear words: “The most effective remedy for political frustration is direct contact. I have been traveling all over Austria for over a year and I notice that there is enthusiasm for social democratic politics because we have solutions with heart and mind. In order to reach and win back non-voters, we need all of us.”
With passionate conviction, Babler presented his plan to combat child poverty with a basic child benefit: “In this way, we will take children out of poverty and give them the greatest thing of all: a future that is in their own hands.” Education and gender equality are also important concerns for him: “A modern, fair education system, a school without pressure is a matter close to my heart as a father.” To ensure equality between women and men, he wants to introduce a law on wage transparency that provides for penalties for unequal pay, and speed up the expansion of childcare.
A central part of Babler’s plan: to rebuild the public health system, which was run down by previous governments. “We will rebuild the public health system, double the number of places in medical schools and introduce a guarantee of a doctor’s appointment within 14 days.” Babler explained the SPÖ’s plans to combat the shortage of nursing staff: “With a training offensive!” and added: “This includes the abolition of training costs, the introduction of a training salary and making working conditions more attractive. Reducing working hours with full compensation is simply part of this!”
