What is the government’s response to soaring prices? Turquoise-green is likely to agree on a new anti-inflation package in the coming days. However, that will only come in the autumn, said Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch (Greens) on Tuesday evening in the “ZiB 2”. He mentions the necessary (parliamentary) lead times as the reason for this. According to him, this concerns both short-term and structural measures.
In the interview with moderator Armin Wolf, Rauch did not get lost in details, but at least indicated in which direction it will go. On the one hand, the Minister of Social Affairs confirmed the postponement of the CO2 pricing to October, which he considers justified, on the other hand he wants to ensure annual valorisation of social benefits and agree on aid “that arrives immediately”.
The minister also wants to focus on price monitoring. Rauch hates the free-rider effects he finds in construction, for example. The minister did not allow himself to be pinned down when it came to ‘cold progress’. Here they talk about what makes sense, for example whether it can be abolished permanently or only for a certain time. The head of department also wants to discuss wealth-related taxes.
Rauch assumes that an agreement will be reached soon
As for the procedure, Rauch said further consultations with the social partners would take place on Wednesday and Thursday. It can be assumed that an agreement will be reached very quickly.
Climate minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) did not want to speak at a press conference on Tuesday. However, she expects that “a result can be achieved in the coming days.” Negotiations in the government are intense, but it cannot prejudge the results, she said.
FPÖ: government “in deep sleep mode”
On the ÖVP side, it was said that the package could not be expected this week. The FPÖ criticized this as a “slap in the face to those people who have to fight every day for survival in the face of record prices for food, energy and fuel. These people need help – not a federal government fast asleep.” when it comes to inflation,” FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl said in a broadcast.
Given the very strong inflation, the People’s Party and the Greens are discussing not to start carbon pricing until October 2022, three months later than originally planned and at the same time as the climate bonus. This could be set uniformly at 250 euros for 2022 instead of spreading regionally between 100 and 200 euros. The Greens also want gas heating in new buildings to be phased out as early as 2023. Other measures – from valorisation to one-off payments to subsidies – are being negotiated, Groen club boss Sigrid Maurer recently explained.
CO2 pricing probably only in October
Given the very strong inflation, the People’s Party and the Greens are discussing not to start carbon pricing until October, three months later than originally planned and at the same time as the climate bonus. This could be set uniformly at 250 euros for 2022 instead of spreading regionally between 100 and 200 euros. The Greens also want gas heating in new buildings to be phased out as early as 2023.
Source: Krone
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