To combat high inflation, the SPÖ is calling for an inflation top. If the government does not cooperate, party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner wants to use parliamentary instruments: “From urgent questions to the federal government about a special session to a vote of no confidence in the entire federal government,” she announced on Friday (see video above).
In the fight against inflation, government failure “can no longer be brushed aside”. Rendi-Wagner also denounced the increased inflation in April at a press conference. This has decreased in almost all European countries.
“Wrong policy of one-off payments worth billions”
The magnitude of the inflationary crisis is largely self-made, she saw a “wrong policy of one-off payments worth billions”. The government is said to have rejected all effective measures against inflation and all SPÖ proposals in this regard. On the other hand, rents were raised, with the government still “pouring petrol on the inflationary fire”.
SPÖ boss: inflation instead of car top
Instead of the car summit initiated by Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), there is an urgent need for an inflation summit involving experts and the social partnership.
Attention is also paid to the abolition of VAT
The SPÖ wants to discuss the abolition of VAT on basic foodstuffs, a rent cap and the withdrawal of the increase in benchmark rents, as well as a commission against the cost of living. According to Rendi-Wagner, this would be necessary to introduce reliable price controls and should have the possibility to impose sanctions. Party leader and SPÖ business spokesman Christoph Matznetter referred to Wifo boss Gabriel Felbermayr, who had recently described the rent brake, which the government had not yet decided on, as an “opportunity”.
Victims of inflation are people with insufficient income, small businesses and the self-employed. Shareholders in large companies would benefit from this. In addition to the ÖVP, Matznetter also criticized their coalition partners. The Greens are “unable to press the stop button”. If they agreed to the SPÖ’s motions in parliament – and “blow up the government” – they could give hundreds of thousands the chance to cover their own housing costs.
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.
