At the start of the new parliamentary year, the opposition continued its attacks on the government. The deputy head of the SPÖ club Jörg Leichtfried demanded on Tuesday that the problem of energy prices should finally be tackled at the root instead of just working with plasters. NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger opposed the government’s watering can policy.
The new parliamentary season will really start on Wednesday with a plenary session. On this occasion, the SPÖ will bring up the topic of pensions in a “Current Hour”. Because from the perspective of Leichtfried, the ÖVP has a policy against the Austrian seniors. He proposed a new way of increasing pensions, which had already been proposed by the Pensioners’ Association – namely, according to the annual inflation rate from January to December instead of August to July. This would result in a wage increase of 8.2 or 8.3 percent next year. A motion to that effect will be tabled at Wednesday’s meeting.
There has been little praise for the Leichtfried coalition in the energy field, as there seems to be a growing realization that it is not possible without state intervention. Again he campaigned for the EU to buy gas for all member states together and then pass this on to the member states. This model would remain in effect for two years, during which time the merit order would be reformed.
NEOS criticizes the “watering can” principle
Rather than help fight inflation, the government is taking out the “watering can” “out of fear” from voters and competition, NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger criticized at a news conference on Tuesday. It would be necessary to cut taxes and indirect labor costs, she demanded again.
“The price increases will continue to affect people,” Meinl-Reisinger says. “The state cannot solve everything”, but it can provide a “shock absorber”. Especially the climate bonus, which has been increased to 500 euros, bothers NEOS. “Of course we wonder why there is a climate bonus for members of the National Council,” emphasizes Meinl-Reisinger. Economic and social spokesman Gerald Loacker also believes that people “don’t want to be sponsored and receive 500 euros graciously”, while the tax burden is so high.
In addition to providing accurate help for the poorest households, the NEOS believes that taxes and non-wage labor costs should be reduced. The latter would also create room for considerable wage increases, Meinl-Reisinger explains. Loacker once again urged that the cold progression be completely and retroactively abolished as of January 1.
Source: Krone
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