Debate about million-order: taxi service for asylum seekers
The debate is about 1.25 million euros, which affects the state of Salzburg. The federal government’s tender was issued today and also includes, for example, transfers of asylum seekers within Austria. These are taken by taxi to other quarters, to official summonses, doctor visits and appointments with authorities, as required.
Svazek: “Salzburgers can dream of that”
Marlene Svazek, liberal state party leader and club leader in the state parliament, no longer understands the world: “We have to talk about what we give or don’t give to those who seek protection from us. And a free taxi service is a bit overkill. Here you have protection from persecution and war. That’s good and important too. They have a very high level of basic services and can use public transport for free. Every Salzburger would dream of that.”
Haslauer refers to federal responsibility
Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) defends the model for transporting asylum seekers: “The accommodation and transport of refugees is the task of the federal government. Conversely, if someone is or has to be transported from Traiskirchen to Bergheim, for example, then someone has to do it. It was issued by the federal government. This amount is the framework for four years. Within this limit, the local care facility may place orders.”
Haslauer says that these are probably buses or minibuses: “I would be very surprised that people are driven around in taxis.”
FPÖ: “ÖVP-related entrepreneur benefits”
The FPÖ sees the People’s Party as having an ambiguous or contradictory approach to the subject: “At the federal level, they always scold the ÖVP about asylum tourism. We now have tourism as an example. Because in Salzburg there is an ÖVP taxi operator who is very well known , to the train. He was awarded the contract for these orders. The ÖVP uses this asylum tourism indirectly through its officials. This is a dishonest debate.”
Haslauer refers to a public tender
Governor Wilfried Haslauer says that he doesn’t even know who won the tender: “I have nothing to do with the tender either. This is a public procurement procedure where entrepreneurs can apply. Anyone who has made the immediate offer will also be awarded the contract. It’s also not defamatory if you’re a member of a political party. I find that ridiculous, to be honest.”
In the other federal states, too, this system involves very high sums in tenders, according to the Salzburg Freedom Party. You also want to address the criticism in the National Council.