Ernst Woller represented Vienna at the European Conference of German-speaking provincial parliaments in Brussels

On Monday, 20 January 2025, the European Conference of presidents of German and Austrian provincial parliaments, the South Tyrolean Parliament, the German Bundestag and the German and Austrian federal councils took place in Brussels, with the participation of the Parliament of the German-speaking Community of Belgium. Ernst Woller, First President of the Vienna Provincial Parliament, represented Vienna.

The conference resulted in the adoption of the Brussels Declaration on "Strengthening Regional Parliaments with Legislative Powers in the European Union".

The declaration emphasises the importance of regional parliaments with legislative powers for the peace project that is the European Union.

The declaration formulates specific concerns in order to strengthen the role of regional parliaments with legislative powers in the European Union. It also addresses the issue of financial resources for a strong cohesion policy, involving all regions beyond 2027.

"We are concerned about the increasing threats to the European Union. A central task in the coming years must therefore be to protect our democracy, our values and our free European way of life", emphasised Woller, after the conference.

As part of the European Conference, the presidents meet once a year and discuss current positions of regional parliaments in Europe.