28 Oct 2020, 00:17

Wiener Zeitung: Political Party re-legalization passes

After two weeks of debate, a vote has been held on the controversial popularly-initiated legislation regarding political parties, resulting in its passage by 106 - 104.

However, the process was mired by obstruction. A legislator attempted to begin a filibuster, in which she read verbatim from a Vienna phonebook; however, she was forced to stop, after a total of three hours, by the President of the Assembly, on the grounds that it was suppressing the voicing of alternative views.

This was attempted by others several times, resulting in the President barring nearly 30 legislators from speaking whatsoever. Several have sued; no response has yet been made from the judicial system.

Others voiced their opposition in more reasonable ways. "The non-partisan system has prevented political divide. Certainly, partisan views do exist, and have influenced many aspects of our political system; however, they have not yet to Haanean levels. Given that this chamber has already experienced extreme bouts of violence, including a highly illegal impeachment vote which resulted in the sedation of several legislators and the commitment of a clerk to a mental institute, this should certainly be a worry," said a legislator amid screaming from a crazed woman in a public gallery.

The antics of some of the more crazed legislators, however, led to many changing sides. "I abhor malarkey in all its forms. " said a male legislator. "It was because of this that I was initially opposed; however, now, I can see that nothing will change; the malarkey is already here to stay."

Another legislator, Suzann Haselenhain, who voted in favor, seemed to waffle on the subject. "Well, yes, it is true that the partisanship is terrible and must be condemned, yes, yes, and it is certainly true that this could exacerbate the problem. However, we must consider that, in the course of time, that this may eventually resolve. Certainly, a condemnation of this situation must be done; however, we must continue to hope that, someday, the Austrian nation will learn a lesson."

Based on the timeline released by the Constitutional Court, the law must be signed and promulgated within three days, lest the President and Government be prosecuted.