VIENNA. While current election results and government formations make headlines, more and more people no longer participate or are unable to participate in democratic decisions… Among these people, non-Austrian citizens as well as many people with low incomes no longer have a say in elections or opportunities to have a say at municipal level.
“Two-thirds democracy” The international trend in this direction is seen in Vienna not only in elections but also in neighborhood initiatives, petitions and participation in urban development processes.
“Europe’s Democracy capital” Vienna will put the issue of democratic participation on its agenda in the coming months.. “Democracy and Political participation” titled Austrian Chamber of Labor EC At the City Conference today, the Chamber of Labor is discussing what needs to be improved with researchers from social sciences, experts from local governments and the city of Vienna. The EC proposed a 5-point program to strengthen democracy in Vienna.
Martina Zandonella, Forsight Institute Explaining that 35 percent of people in Vienna do not have the right to vote because of their citizenship, and that most of them come from lower-income groups, he said: “It is precisely in these groups that more and more Viennese are deciding not to vote, because to date there is almost no positive democratic experience.” They did not live. In democracy, we determine our living conditions together. The future of our democracy depends on whether we succeed in resisting exclusion from this class-based collective decision-making process.”
İlkim Erdost, President of the Vienna Chamber of Labor, Education, Consumers and Vienna He stated: “Political participation and democracy require equality.People who express themselves politically should feel safe and respected. Not everyone has access to political decision-making processes. This access is unevenly distributed. many people are also under great pressure in terms of financial and time resources. This doesn’t leave much time for discourse. That’s why it’s so vital for us, as the EC, to create opportunities for participation and real joint decision-making. Employees and colleagues must be able to safely participate in decision-making processes,even in difficult times. This is the only way to carry our democracy into the future.”
Nina Abrahamczik,Chairperson of the Climate,Habitat,Democracy and Personnel Committee of the Vienna City Council He stated the following on this subject: “especially in this year when Vienna became the European Capital of Democracy,it is especially important for us to strengthen democracy and further expand participation. In particular, we want to include voices that have not been heard enough to date in a sustainable way through a variety of participation opportunities.”
The Austrian Chamber of Labor AK stated the following as a 5-item program for more democracy and participation in vienna:
- Access to citizenship should be facilitated: The procedural costs of several thousand euros for naturalization are too high. Time spent at school in Austria should play a much greater role in the naturalization of children and young people than birth in Austria.Naturalization procedures should be made faster.
- For greater participation in Vienna’s neighbourhoods, opportunities to have a say must be advertised visibly in many languages, on many channels and in many neighbourhoods.
- Local participation should be accompanied by neighborhood social workers and neighborhood initiatives, education in schools, and parent work.
- Meeting places: Greater democracy needs public spaces as places to meet and gather for conversation or self-organization: easily accessible, free, close to the neighborhood.
- The effectiveness of participation should be constantly monitored. What works in one region can be transferred to similar projects.In this way, standards are created that can be used to improve participation in the future.
How can cities improve democratic engagement among marginalized communities?
Time.news Interview: The Shift in Democratic Participation in Vienna
Editor: Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s edition of time.news. I’m joined by Dr. Clara Fischer, a political scientist and expert on democratic participation. We’re here to discuss a pressing issue that’s emerging from the recent political landscape in Vienna—the growing phenomenon of “two-thirds democracy.” Dr. Fischer, thank you for being here.
Dr. Fischer: Thank you for having me.It’s a pleasure to discuss this vital topic.
Editor: Vienna has been dubbed ”europe’s Democracy Capital,” yet we’re seeing a decline in civic participation among certain demographics.What are the primary factors contributing to this trend?
Dr.Fischer: There are several dimensions to this issue. one major factor is the exclusion of non-Austrian citizens from voting in elections. This not only alienates a significant portion of the population but also raises questions about their portrayal in civic matters. Additionally, lower-income individuals often feel marginalized due to economic barriers that limit their ability to engage in democratic processes.
Editor: That’s a critical point. You mentioned feeling marginalized—how does this impact the electorate in cities like Vienna when it comes to local governance?
Dr. Fischer: when significant portions of the population feel excluded, it leads to apathy and disengagement from not just elections, but all forms of civic participation.In Vienna,we’re witnessing a decline in participation in neighborhood initiatives and urban progress processes. If people don’t feel their voices matter,they are less likely to engage in city planning or community decisions,which ultimately undermines the fabric of democratic society.
Editor: So,it sounds like we could be looking at a scenario where decisions are made by a select few,which is what you’ve termed “two-thirds democracy.” Can you explain that term further?
Dr. Fischer: Absolutely. ”Two-thirds democracy” refers to a system where only a minority of the population actively participates in decision-making processes, while the majority remains silent or disinterested. This imbalance can lead to policies that reflect the interests of only a fraction of the population,thus deepening social divides and disenfranchising those who are already at a disadvantage.
Editor: What steps can cities like Vienna take to encourage more inclusive democratic participation?
Dr. Fischer: Vienna has initiated some captivating programs aimed at increasing participation, but there’s more work to be done. Creating more accessible platforms for engagement—such as community forums that cater to multiple languages and income levels—can definitely help. Additionally, implementing outreach programs that educate residents about local governance could empower citizens to voice their concerns and ideas.
Editor: It sounds like a multi-faceted approach is necessary. As we look ahead, what do you think is at stake if this trend continues unchecked?
Dr. Fischer: If civic engagement doesn’t improve, we risk solidifying systemic inequalities. Democracy thrives on participation, and when a large segment of the population is excluded, we weaken the democratic process itself. This could lead to larger societal fractures, and eventually to a decrease in overall civic trust and stability.
Editor: Thank you,Dr. Fischer, for shedding light on this critical issue. As Vienna and other cities confront these challenges,I hope we see innovative solutions that revitalize democratic participation for all segments of society.
Dr.Fischer: Thank you! I agree, and I’m hopeful for the future.
Editor: That’s all for today’s interview. Stay tuned to Time.news for more insights into the evolving landscape of democracy and civic engagement.