Vienna's Vice Mayor for Education and Integration, Bettina Emmerling (NEOS), has proposed the use of electronic ankle monitors for children under the age of 14 who are involved in criminal activity. The proposal, which Emmerling intends to submit to the federal government, suggests that monitoring could serve as a preventive measure for children who are radicalizing or beginning to commit crimes. While Emmerling categorically rejects the idea of prisons for children in this age group, she argues that ankle monitors could supplement placement in time-out residential groups, specifically to track children who flee these facilities.
Addressing Integration and Language Barriers
Beyond juvenile justice, Emmerling is calling for stricter integration requirements and earlier language support. In the district of Margareten, 74.8 percent of children starting school are currently unable to sufficiently follow lessons due to a lack of German language skills. Emmerling attributes this situation to overburdened kindergartens and a lack of parental support. To address this, she proposes that mothers be required to attend online German courses when their babies reach six months of age, noting that the Austrian Integration Fund should offer courses that include childcare.
These suggestions follow changes in the Social Assistance Act, which reduced the exemption period for mothers from German language support measures from three years to two years after childbirth. For those who deliberately refuse to integrate, the Vice Mayor advocates for consequences such as administrative fines or cuts to social benefits. Despite these challenges, Emmerling noted a decline in the number of 'extraordinary students'—those needing significant language support—which she attributes to new support measures and a stop in family reunification.
Education Reform and Citizenship
The Vice Mayor is also pushing for structural changes through the 'Kindergarten neu denken' reform and a stronger focus on democracy education in schools. On the topic of legal status, Emmerling considers it possible for children born in Austria to receive citizenship if their parents have lived in the country for a long time, are integrated, and are employed.
Looking toward future governance and economic policy, Emmerling has ruled out any coalition with the FPÖ. She also expressed support for economic flexibility, advocating for owner-managed shops to be allowed to open on Sundays.
