Weekly update: SPÖ advocates gradual return to normality

Coronavirus

SPÖ party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner has urged for a gradual ‘return to normality’ in the medical sector. She pledged for general surgeries to be re-opened so that non-coronavirus patients do not become ‘second-class patients’. Starting from Monday, hospitals in Vienna will proceed to tackle the over 2,000 surgeriesthat were postponed due to the emergency.

Politics

According to latest opinion pools, the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) has registered an increase of 9 percentage points, almost reaching an absolute majority (48%). The Chancellor’s party is followed by the SPÖ and the Greens (16%), the FPÖ (13%) and NEOS (3%).

Culture

The Salzburg Art Association (Salzburger Kunstverein) has launched an online programme of virtual exhibitions and events, including the international project Isolation TV, which showcases creative work on self-distancing and isolation.

Literature

The Austrian Book Trade Federation (Hauptverband des österreichischen Buchhandels) is currently hosting a series of video conferences called ‘Exceptional Talks’ (Ausnahmegespräche) in which contemporary Austrian authors present their new books.