Action Life Salzburg Supports Controversial State Government Project Aimed at Preventing Abortions

Die “Action Life Salzburg” has expressed his support for one of the projects of the new Salzburg state government, which is intended to help prevent abortions. the countryÖVP and FPÖ are planning an information campaign about alternatives to abortion as well as an anonymous study about abortion motives – and in doing so had attracted heavy criticism from other political parties for alleged violations of women’s rights. In a statement available to Kathpress, “Aktion Leben”, which is part of the Catholic Action in Salzburg, supported the statement by ÖVP regional councilor Daniela Gutschi, according to which the “time limit solution” is out of the question, but that unborn life should be given a chance , before erasing it.

This in the “Salzburg News” “Aktion Leben” could only agree with the quote made, it said at the weekend. From decades of experience in pregnancy counseling, the non-profit association can confirm “that a political wrangling about abortion legislation – (a federal matter anyway) – does not benefit any mother-to-be, no growing child and no family in crisis”.

Conversely, “Aktion Leben Salzburg” expects measures from the new state government to relieve pregnant women, expectant parents and families of existential needs and social pressure. You have to fight child poverty and create housing for young families. The further expansion of “up-to-date preventive measures” and a secured long-term promotion of family counseling centers were also demanded.

Politics has been defaulting so far

Studies to record the reasons for abortions and a clear political commitment to the prevention of abortions have been demanded by “Aktion Leben Österreich” for many years, the Salzburg association recalled the parliamentary citizens’ initiative carried out in 2014 “Facts help!” in favor of a statistical recording of abortions in Austria and a motive survey. “A local implementation in the state of Salzburg would be a step.”

For years, “Aktion Leben Österreich” has criticized the lack of political commitment to reducing the number of abortions. Secretary General Martina Kronthaler outlined the position of the association as follows in a broadcast on “Day of Life” (June 1) last week: “We support the free decision of women and take it for granted that women who have an abortion should be given medical and human support be well cared for. But we also don’t want the protection of life to be lost and the problems of women who feel forced to have an abortion to be forgotten.” The only thing that can help against an ideological appropriation of the topic is transparency and “looking instead of looking away”, but in Austria the number of aborts is unknown and the most recent research into motives is more than 20 years old.

New debate by the ÖVP-FPÖ coalition

The new Salzburg state government triggered the renewed debate on this topic, which has been controversial for decades, with the following passage from the government agreement 2023-2028: “We will develop a state information campaign to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to adopt and foster parents as an alternative to abortion. It would also be effective an anonymous study that shows the age of the women and the reasons for abortions in order to be able to adapt the counseling service.”

This led to protests from social democratic and green women’s spokespersons, from the Austrian women’s group and the “Pro Choice Austria” platform. The announced campaign was criticized as a step backwards in women’s self-determination, even as “deeply sexist”. According to a ZIB2 report dated June 1, there are currently two clinics in Salzburg that perform abortions.

Those: kathpress