The SPÖ criticized the multi-billion dollar package that the government presented on Tuesday to absorb inflation. Among other things, she misses tax cuts for food and fuel. Now ÖVP Secretary General Laura Sachslehner is attacking the Social Democrats. They must “finally stop their party politically motivated criticism” and “get seriously involved” in the fight against inflation, she called out.
In a broadcast, Sachslehner asked SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner to vote for the measures together with her party. She accuses Rendi-Wagner of going into hiding: “She has stopped talking and so far has made absolutely no constructive contribution to absorbing the price increases,” criticized the ÖVP politician.
The SPÖ is not about the people, but “just about arbitrary government and ÖVP bashing,” Sachslehner said. So inflation is an opportunity for the opposition party to harm the government.
Measures requested by the SPÖ do not come
The package presented by the cabinet provides for one-off payments to minimum wage earners, the unemployed and recipients of student grants and a temporary increase in the climate bonus to 500 euros. There will also be tax relief. The SPÖ criticizes the fact that the measures it is asking for, such as the abolition of VAT on food, an early increase in pensions and a higher unemployment benefit, are not included in the package. She also complains that most of the measures will not take effect until the autumn.
In addition, the SPÖ is critical of the planned refinancing. Because according to Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), two-thirds of the aid package should be financed by higher VAT revenues and another third by a pick-up in domestic purchasing power – the expenditure of the now announced relief must therefore be recouped from the consumption of the citizens.
Will probably decide next week
If the ruling parties have their way, a decision on the anti-inflation package is due in June. That is why the National Council will meet next Thursday in a week for a special session. The groups agree on this.
Source: Krone
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