The Austrian government has announced an immediate halt to its family reunification policy, a decision made during a recent cabinet meeting. The Chancellor's office in Vienna stated that new national regulations will be implemented to suspend family reunification, with the measure described as temporary. The government intends to consider the rulings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in this matter. Chancellor Christian Stocker, representing the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), emphasized the country's limited capacity to accommodate new arrivals, particularly in the education sector, which is facing significant strain. In the past two years, approximately 18,000 individuals have entered Austria through family reunification, including around 13,000 school-age children or minors. This decision comes shortly after the formation of Austria's new coalition government, which includes the ÖVP, the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos. It marks the first three-party coalition in Austria's political history. The government aims to significantly reduce family reunification processes, citing national security concerns. Critics argue that this move may violate asylum rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, as the government is invoking an EU emergency clause that allows for suspension in cases of threats to internal security. In a prior statement, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) had called for a suspension of family reunification at the EU level, citing the overburdening of the education, health, and social systems in Austria. He noted that measures taken last year, such as stricter testing, had already limited family reunifications significantly. The current suspension is viewed as a step toward halting the process entirely. The SPÖ has also expressed support for this initiative, aligning with the coalition's objective to reduce irregular migration to zero, while reaffirming the commitment to upholding the right to asylum. The coalition partners agree that the challenges facing the nation's systems necessitate immediate action to address the influx of migrants through family reunification. As Austria navigates these complex issues, the implications of this policy shift will likely spark further debate among lawmakers, human rights advocates, and the public, as the balance between national security and humanitarian obligations remains a contentious topic.