NEOS-Base votes with 94.13 percent for turquoise-red-pink-Diepresse.com
On Sunday afternoon, almost 2000 NEOS members voted at the party conference whether the pinks with ÖVP and SPÖ should go into a coalition. The result: 94.13 percent are in favor, the government is therefore fixed.
The core of why the NEOs may have invited to their most important meeting so far came in relation to the rest of the event Dust dry: Shortly after 12 noon, Pink General Secretary Douglas Hoyos announced « the agenda item three of our general meeting ». Namely: « Decision of a coalition agreement. »
Everything all around was pretty much the largest in the balloon hall at the Arsenal in Vienna, which has been organizing the previous opposition party so far. At least according to your own statements: « It is the largest general meeting we have ever had, the longest application, there are more camera teams than ever, » said Hoyos at the opening. When the party coordinates its election lists at the base, a hundred members usually take part. This time there are around 2000. Only digital is coordinated. And at least two thirds agree, there is turquoise-red pink. If not, the NEOS are out of the game – and ÖVP and SPÖ have to try it alone.
« It shows what a historical coordination for our organization and this country is, » says Hoyos. You can now « make a decision on how we will continue ».
It should be the motto of the party leadership that day: one wants to make it clear to the base that the party and country are concerned with too much than to jump on now. For days, the party leadership has been trying to sell entry into the coalition at the base with telephone campaigns and video conferences. Vienna's Neos boss Christoph Return, who is to become Minister of Education, also spoke of a « historical day ». Return: « We founded ourselves for that: to take responsibility in our country ». And already built up for the efforts of everyday government: « It is time for good compromises, they are not a defeat, but characteristic of democracy. » You could now make it « easy » and watch ÖVP and SPÖ when failing. And wait and see that you benefit from this yourself in elections. « But we cannot afford this luxury of waiting. »
Party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger-she also finds « historical » this Sunday-sees a fateful coordination for her community of attorney. She spoke of « Incredible Story » of the Neos since it was founded in 2012 when just 20 people around Matthias Strolz were there. She once again explained that it was important to get back into the coalition negotiations and defended cuts in pensions and so on. Key moment of their approximately 30-minute speech: “My husband always asks me: Why are you doing this? And I told him: Because I would like to tell my three children later, I did everything I have in my strength. ” At this point her voice breaks. « And I think that's my responsibility now. » She knew that, as a foreign minister, she has no grace period in view of the geopolitical situation. Government « will not be easy », but without Neos « nothing would change ».
Warning of « risk to exist »
After the speeches, each member can make a brief statement. Liberal grands such as Heide Schmidt and Hans Peter Haselsteiner also spoke up. The latter urgently called for the pact to agree with a large majority: “Today it is not about the two -thirds majority. But about the legitimation with which the party supports this task, ”he said. The latte must be « skipped at a height that the will becomes clear ». Then the former LIF man said: “The alternative would be a decision-making decision for the NEOS. We have already experienced that. » Haselsteiner: « So I appeal to you to jump over your shadow. »
94.13 percent said yes
And the doubters also seem to have done that: because shortly before 3 p.m. the party announced the result of the vote. And it was clear: 94.13 percent voted for it. 1737 members have given a vote, according to Hoyos 1635 voted for the application for government participation. « Such a strong vote! » Meinl-Reisinger called after the result was announced. « It has been a lot of work the last few days, it will be a lot from tomorrow, » said the future Foreign Minister. « But now I want to celebrate once. »
The last hurdle to the three-way coalition was now, the only lack of the angry with the Federal President. It should take place on Monday.
