Chancellor takes a hard line "Grandchildren should not grow up in an Islamic state"
Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has taken a tough stance on migration and political Islam, warning that he does not want future generations to grow up in what he described as an “Islamic state.”
Speaking during an ORF summer interview on Monday, Stocker discussed migration, integration, religion and the need to protect Austria’s democratic system. He also highlighted the country’s recent deportation figures, saying Austria recorded more deportations than asylum applications during the first half of the year.
Stocker stressed that religious freedom is protected by Austria’s constitution and said everyone should be free to practice their faith. However, he argued that this freedom has limits when religious or political beliefs challenge democratic principles, question the equality of men and women, or distinguish between believers and non-believers.
“We protect the practice of religion, but we also protect our democracy,” Stocker said. He then made his strongest statement of the evening, declaring that he did not want his grandchildren to grow up in an Islamic state.
The Chancellor also addressed the situation in Vienna’s schools, where he said Muslims make up a relative majority of students. Stocker questioned whether these young people would grow into democrats who respect Austria’s legal system and become part of society, or whether they could instead be influenced by Islamism. He said his goal was clearly for them to become democratically minded members of Austrian society.
Stocker also emphasized his political philosophy, saying that Austrians should remain “masters in their own house.” He linked this approach to the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), saying Austria and its people should come before the interests of political parties.
Beyond migration and integration, the Chancellor discussed pensions, healthcare and financial planning for younger generations. He highlighted a planned future savings account for children and young people under 18, which would remain locked until adulthood and allow investment returns to be exempt from capital gains tax.
Stocker ended the interview by saying his political decisions should be guided by the interests of the next generation rather than the next opinion poll. Referring to his recently born grandchild, he said he wanted to create a country where children and grandchildren would have a good future and greater opportunities.