Paul Stich (born 23 February 1998) is an Austrian politician of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ),[1] and since 22 February 2020,[2] he has been the chairman of the Socialist Youth Austria (SJÖ).
Paul Stich | |
|---|---|
 Paul Stich at the Federal Party Congress of the SPÖ wearing a SJÖ Blueshirt (2023) | |
| Chair of the Socialist Youth Austria | |
| Assumed office 22 February 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Julia Herr |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 February 1998 |
| Political party | Social Democratic Party |
| Website | Official website |
Early life
editPaul Stich grew up in the 21st district of Vienna, Floridsdorf. He attended the Schulschiff (Bertha-von-Suttner-Gymnasium). After graduation, he worked as a museum guide in the Karl-Marx-Hof laundry. Additionally, he worked at the SOS Children's Village. He also held a position in the SJÖ office.
Political career
editIn 2015, at the age of 17, Paul Stich joined the SJÖ (Socialist Youth Austria) in the Floridsdorf district group. In various interviews, he stated that the reason for his membership was the refugee crisis in 2015. He quickly progressed from the district level to the federal level. Julia Herr brought him into the federal office. When Julia Herr entered the National Council in October 2019, she chose not to run again, paving the way for Paul Stich. At the association meeting of the SJÖ on February 22, 2020, he was elected with 87,64 percent of the votes. There were no opposing candidates. At the 39th association meeting of the SJÖ in 2022, he was elected with 84.39 percent,[3] and finally at the 40th association meeting on February 17, 2024, he was re-elected with 85,54 percent for a third term.[4] In the Vienna City Council election in 2020, Paul Stich ran for the SPÖ Floridsdorf and has since been the Youth District Councilor of Floridsdorf. Paul Stich is running in the EU elections for the SPÖ in position 42 on the list.[5]
Political Positions
editCitizenship and Integration
editStich advocates for automatically granting Austrian citizenship to children born in Austria. During his tenure, the Socialist Youth, under his leadership, successfully influenced a change in position within the SPÖ. Stich sees this as a democratic necessity and a building block for successful integration. According to him, a modernized citizenship law would also make the activities of radically religious associations or politicians like Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan more challenging.[6]
Economy and Society
editPaul Stich is associated with the left-wing faction of the SPÖ primarily due to his strong stance on redistribution. After his election, he advocated for a radical redesign of the tax system in Austria. Stich supports, among other things, a wealth tax of up to 80 percent for billionaires. He emphasizes the goal of returning a fair share of societal prosperity to the working people.[7]
Education
editStich emphasizes the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system. In this context, he advocates for the abolition of the existing Matura (final examination) and its replacement with project work. At the 2021 Federal Party Congress, he succeeded in anchoring this position within the SPÖ.[8][9]
SPÖ Member Survey 2023
editIn the Kronen Zeitung, SJ Chairman Paul Stich made a corresponding party election recommendation for Andreas Babler (SPÖ). Acting as a representative of the party's youth, he stated that he sees the Traiskirchen mayor as having the greatest potential for a "sense of renewal within the party" and majorities in favor of the SPÖ. Daniel, Isabelle. "Isabelle Daniel: Das Interview mit Paul Stich" (Interview). oe24. Retrieved 2024-01-18.
References
edit- ^ "Paul Stich" (in German). SPÖ. Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ Theo, Anders (2020-02-22). "Paul Stich, Fan von Grün-Weiß, ist der neue Chef der roten Jugend" [Paul Stich, Fan of SK Rapid, Becomes the New Leader of the Red Youth]. Der Standard (in German). Retrieved 2024-01-13.
- ^ "Paul Stich mit 84,39% als Verbandsvorsitzender der Sozialistischen Jugend Österreich wiedergewählt" [Paul Stich re-elected as Chairman of the Socialist Youth Austria with 84.39%]. ots.at (in German). 2022-05-28. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
- ^ "Paul Stich mit 85,54% als Verbandsvorsitzender der Sozialistischen Jugend Österreich wiedergewählt" [Paul Stich re-elected as Chairman of the Socialist Youth Austria with 85.54%]. ots.at (in German). Retrieved 2024-02-17.
- ^ "euwahl24". Sozialistische Jugend Österreich. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ Wagner, Katia. "Wer Dreckshacken macht, soll Staatsbürger werden" [Whoever does the dirty work should become a citizen]. Krone Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ "Sozialistische Jugend wählt neuen Vorsitzenden" [The Socialist Youth elects a new chairman]. oe24 (in German). Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ Pilz, Clemens. "Sitzenbleiben gehört ausgesetzt, Matura abgeschafft" [Suspension of repeating a school year, abolition of final exams]. Heute (in German). Retrieved 2024-01-18.
- ^ Wessely, Erich. "Sozialistische Jugend will die Matura abschaffen" [The Socialist Youth aims to abolish the final exams (Matura)]. Heute (in German). Retrieved 2024-01-18.