Ferrero-Waldner congratulates Durnwalder and Brugger on their election-success
28.10.2003
Austria’s Foreign Minister views the election result as an approval of autonomy
Vienna, 28 October 2003 - Foreign Minister Ferrero-Waldner congratulated the South Tyrolean People’s Party (SVP) and party leader Siegfried Brugger to their success in the elections to the provincial parliament on 26 October. "I rejoice at the news of the excellent result of the SVP. The result once again proves the broad support and approval the SVP enjoys with the South Tyrolean population with its work for the region, but also as the legitimate political representative of the German and Ladin-speaking groups," Ferrero-Waldner said.
Ferrero-Waldner especially congratulated the Head of the Provincial Government Luis Durnwalder on his personal success, which she said was to be seen as clear evidence of his popularity with the entire population. "Durnwalder’s consistent and credible commitment for every single citizen of South Tyrol, but also for peaceful coexistence in his function as Head of the Provincial Government has won him the trust of all three ethnic groups," the Foreign Minister said.
As Ferrero-Waldner said, this policy had now been honoured by the voters. The South Tyrol, owing to its political and economic situation, has come into a position in which it could exhibit strong self-confidence. The Foreign Minister also expressed her satisfaction at the fact that autonomy-critical and nationalist positions are obviously gaining less and less acclaim among the Italian-speaking population too. "The election result is therefore also to be seen as general approval of autonomy as a basis for prosperity and social peace in South Tyrol," Ferrero-Waldner stated.
