The heated budget debate in the National Council continued on Wednesday. This time it was about the social area, for which, together with consumer protection, an increase of 18.2 percent is planned (minus pensions). This is not enough for the SPÖ, the FPÖ wants to reduce costs through “unbridled immigration”.
On Wednesday, the National Council discussed, among other things, the healthcare billion that had been decided, the pension costs and the minimum income. While the opposition continued its critical course of the previous day, the coalition was, as expected, satisfied with the proposed budget. The first step of the care billion was “bitterly necessary” and further steps are now being negotiated with the federal states, said Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch (Greens).
NEOS criticizes pension spending
A total increase of 18.2 percent is planned for social affairs and consumer protection minus pensions. The specific budget is 5.04 billion euros. Another 14 billion euros has been reserved for pensions in 2023 (16.2 percent more than in 2022). Civil servants are not included in this number. That irritates NEOS spokesman Gerald Loacker. You have to argue about a few million for care and people with disabilities because there are so many billions planned for pensions.
Today, people have been retired for an average of 23 years. According to Loacker, there are 36 years of contributions for men, and only 29 for women. In the past, NEOS has repeatedly called for an increase in the retirement age, especially for women.
SPÖ: No appreciation for nurses
For the SPÖ, the care billion is not enough. Your MP Philip Kucher spoke of a “patch” and a lack of appreciation for nursing staff. Rauch contradicted this, calling it “false allegations”.
The FPÖ tackled one of their favorite topics with an asylum debate. Social spokeswoman Dagmar Belakowitsch notes a very dramatic situation in social assistance due to “uncontrolled immigration”, which costs billions.
Other topics on the second of the three budget days are health, work, entrepreneurship, agriculture and education.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
