Odo Landbauer: We need a Hercules plane filled to Syria every day
In a fiery summer interview with the newspaper Heute, Udo Landbauer, the Deputy Governor of Lower Austria and a prominent politician in the Freedom Party (FPÖ), presented his positions on asylum, social assistance, and government policies. Landbauer, 39 years old, is seen as one of the leading voices advocating for stricter immigration laws and reduced spending on social welfare.
Landbauer praised the work of the ruling coalition in Lower Austria (black-blue) so far, highlighting what he considered important achievements such as the payment card for refugee allowances, tightening gender-related laws, and ending the broadcasting fee for ORF. However, he emphasized that the coalition's mission is not yet complete, promising further stringent reforms.
Regarding asylum policy, Landbauer attacked what he described as "asylum fraud." He explained that refugees receiving support from taxpayers' money in Lower Austria will have to report monthly to the authorities. If they do not, they will be immediately deprived of basic care. He also considered that billions of euros are wasted in the asylum sector and NGOs, while retirees are left without justice.
The topic of deportation was central to his discussion. When asked about the controversy surrounding a Syrian who was deported and then went missing, Landbauer refused to focus on a single case, considering it merely a symbolic policy. He added, "Deporting one Syrian is not enough. We need a Hercules plane full of people being flown out of Austria every day."
A politician from the Freedom Party sharply criticized the federal government for its management of the inflation crisis, considering that the resignation of the ruling parties is the "only effective measure." In social policies, he proposed a three-year waiting period for receiving assistance and insisted that social benefits be directly linked to Austrian citizenship. He firmly rejected the idea of Austria joining NATO and called for raising the maximum speed on highways, arguing that safety standards have evolved significantly compared to the past.
Looking ahead to the upcoming state elections, Landbauer clearly announced his ambitions, emphasizing that the Freedom Party aims to become the strongest party in Lower Austria.