Published on December 7, 2023, 5:14 p.m
/ ©Montage: Michael Schnabl/ 5 minutes
![SPÖ Graz: “Don’t undermine district democracy, but strengthen it”](https://i0.wp.com/www.5min.at/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1701965558-Design-ohne-Titel-24-1468x1032.webp?resize=900%2C633&ssl=1)
The claim that the district democracy would fall victim to the Graz savings fund caused discussion. The city of Graz immediately denied these plans. The SPÖ is now also taking a stand on this.
“We stand for a strengthening of district democracy, for more opportunities for district leaders and district councilors to participate – but in no way for a weakening or even abolition,” they say Graz SP Chairwoman Doris Kampus and the Wetzelsdorfer SP district leader Belinda Walkner clear position on the ongoing discussion about alleged savings considerations at the district councils in Graz. “As far as I know, a dismantling of district democracy was never planned, and there will be no such thing with the SPÖ,” Kampus makes clear.
Improvements required
“The opposite is the case – we are interested in improving the quality of district democracy,” emphasizes Walkner. “Therefore, in preparation for the city of Graz’s democracy convention planned for the beginning of next year, which will focus on district democracy, the district leaders of the SPÖ have already submitted a comprehensive package of suggestions to the presidential office of the city of Graz on how participation rights should be expanded at the district level.”
SPÖ against abolition of the second deputy
A possible abolition of the second deputy, which was recently mentioned by the KP side, is also clearly rejected by the SPÖ, explains Walkner. “District boards and district councils are the first point of contact for many questions and are called upon very often and intensively when it comes to information for the population, but also the mediating role between the population and the ‘Haus Graz’. Wanting to save the second deputy would mean making savings in the wrong place, especially since the compensation of a few hundred euros is more than modest in relation to the time required!”
A notice: This post was updated on December 7th, 2023 at 5:20 p.m
2023-12-07 17:04:23
#SPÖ #Graz #Dont #undermine #district #democracy #strengthen