While salary increases for employees must be difficult to negotiate in light of historically high inflation, the adjustment of politicians’ salaries is automatic. However, the federal government has recommended that states increase politicians’ salaries by only half the adjustment factor of 9.7 percent starting in January. Most states want to adhere to this; only two opt out.
In Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Salzburg and Upper Austria they want to adhere to the recommendation and increase the salaries of state politicians by half the inflation rate – that is, 4.85 percent – from January. Burgenland, on the other hand, prescribed a zero wage round to its politicians. Carinthia is also going its own way, where politicians’ salaries will increase by 9.7 percent – but not until July 2024.
Zero pay round for top federal politicians
Instead of increasing the salaries of politicians by 9.7 percent in accordance with the adjustment factor, the federal government announced a zero salary round for top politicians at the federal level – the federal president and members of the government, the chairman of the National Council and club presidents . . Members of the National Council and the Federal Council, as well as the President of the Federal Council, should receive half of the 4.85 percent inflation compensation. There are no guidelines for the states, only a “recommendation” to increase salaries by only half.
Several states now want to follow the proposal. The salaries of state politicians in Vorarlberg will increase by 4.85 percent from January, it was said on Monday from the office of state governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP).
Increase also in FPÖ-ruled countries
Salzburg and Upper Austria are following the same path – despite the internal party discussion within the FPÖ. Federal party leader Herbert Kickl called for a zero-wage round at state level in the summer. Nevertheless, the ÖVP-FPÖ state governments in the two states decided to follow the federal government’s recommendations. In the state of Salzburg, the salaries of state politicians will be increased by 4.85 percent, as a spokesperson for Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) confirmed on Monday. The increase applies to members of the state government and members of the state parliament. The full 9.7 percent increase comes for mayors in the state.
In Upper Austria, the 4.85 percent increase should also apply to state and local politicians. The Upper Austrian People’s Party, together with the Freedom Party, has submitted a corresponding urgent motion for the session of the state parliament that starts on Tuesday. The Greens and NEOS have already given their approval, Upper Austrian ÖVP club president Christian Dörfel said on Monday. This adjustment, which is still well below the inflation rate, is a motivating signal for those responsible in state and local politics, Dörfel continued.
Tyrol: Full raise for mayor
Even in Tyrol, where Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) had loudly considered a zero-wage round this summer after demands from his deputy Georg Dornauer (SPÖ), half of the inflation in state politicians’ salaries is compensated. The mayors (with the exception of the capital Innsbruck) should receive the full increase of 9.7 percent. A coordinated proposal was presented by the state government, as the “Tiroler Tageszeitung” reported on Monday. Salaries are expected to rise to between 335 and 860 euros from January 1.
The recommendations of the federal government are being followed; she does not believe in “populism,” according to Tyrolean ÖVP club president Jakob Wolf. “It is half of the inflation compensation, which for me is a serious approach and substantively justified,” said Wolf. However, a resolution from the state parliament is needed: in order to vote on the government’s emergency motion in the December state parliament, a two-thirds majority is required, which means that the black and red parties are dependent on ‘help from the opposition’ . .
Zero wage round in Burgenland
However, in Burgenland there will be a zero wage round, as Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) announced in November. This should apply to all state politicians.
Carinthia also follows a special path. Here, politicians will receive the adjustment factor of 9.7 percent proposed by the Federal Audit Office – although this will not be adopted until July 2024. “There will be a de facto zero wage round in the first half of the year,” the office of Governor Peter Kaiser (SPÖ) said on Monday. It has been argued that Carinthia has the lowest salaries for politicians in Austria. There was no information from Styrian government offices on how the case would be handled.
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.
