More money for women – small surprise with the first Brunner budget

The debate lasted three days and now the budget for 2023 has been adopted. The general estimate is dominated by high inflation and energy prices. For example, a lot of money has to be spent to absorb inflation. Up to 150 million euros has been reserved for universities, for example, in case they have to incur extra costs due to persistently high energy prices. However, a motion by NEOS to increase the budget for universities in general was defeated by a majority.

In the coming year, however, more money will be allocated to women (+32 percent to 24.3 million euros), families and young people (0.5 percent) and the army (+22.3 percent). the National Council because the army budget is still not high enough for many SPÖ, for example, military spokesman Robert Laimer said that the estimate had been sold as a “bombastic torch”, but only an “advent candle” remained.

Climate activism controversy
Also in the field of environment and transport, which receives almost 3.7 billion euros, there was a clash between the coalition and the opposition. The FPÖ brought the climate activists close to terrorism, which Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler vehemently rejected. He thinks it is wrong that works of art are attacked, but that cannot be compared to the most serious violence against people.

In addition to the budget decision, various motions from the parties were discussed on Thursday into the evening. For example, one of the FPÖ’s proposals to halt immigration was rejected. The SPÖ motion for the government to fully commit to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), on the other hand, found a majority. This was preceded by a debate started by ÖVP club boss August Wöginger, who had spoken in favor of reviewing the contract.