Protests in Austria over compulsory vaccination

Chancellor Schallenberg says move to bolster the current rate of full vaccination, which stands at 67%

November 28, 2021 10:34 pm | Updated 10:34 pm IST - Vienna

Mounting anger:  Demonstrators march against the Government’s coronavirus measures in Klagenfurt

Mounting anger: Demonstrators march against the Government’s coronavirus measures in Klagenfurt

Tens of thousands of Austrians rallied this weekend to protest against the government’s introduction of compulsory vaccination — the first EU country to do so — as the Chancellor insisted on Sunday that the move would represent “a minor interference” compared to the alternatives.

One of the largest demonstrations was held in the southern city of Graz, where police said late Saturday that around 25,000 people had gathered in a rally that remained mostly peaceful.

Also Read: COVID-19 | Austria begins national lockdown to fight surging infections

But police said that three men in their early 20s were being investigated for allegedly making Nazi salutes and that there were dozens of infractions against virus-related rules on mask-wearing.

In an interview with the Italian daily, Corriere della Sera, Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said that the government had “sadly” been forced to turn to compulsory vaccination to bolster the current rate of full vaccination — which currently stands at just under 67% and is one of the lowest in Western Europe.

With the current rate “we will never get out of the vicious circle of new waves and new debates on lockdowns,” he said.

“Every lockdown is a heavy interference in fundamental rights. Compared to that, compulsory vaccination is a minor interference,” he said.

Faced with rapidly rising case numbers, the government introduced a partial lockdown on Monday, although schools have remained open.

Other demonstrations on Saturday took place in the cities of Sankt Poelten and Klagenfurt, attracting around 3,500 and 5,000 people respectively. Eleven arrests were made in Sankt Poelten, most of them for “aggressive behaviour”.

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