Tripartite coalition or a sugar shock? Negotiations continued on Tuesday in the parties’ steering committees at Palais Epstein. There was no access, nor a breakthrough. But there is a commitment that this time he will not take any more holidays during the negotiations. The large pieces now need to be cleared away between Christmas and New Year.
Around lunchtime on Tuesday afternoon, negotiators from ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS met with their steering groups for a joint discussion. For the first time after the first results from the subgroups came in – and not for the last time. Because the negotiations – that much is certain – will continue.
Although it has not yet been possible to agree on a common budget path, it has at least been possible to agree on in-depth discussions on this. And apparently we have also learned from the first organizational ‘mistakes’.
Big chunks at the end of the year
Because unlike in the autumn, when ÖVP boss Karl Nehammer and SPÖ chairman Andreas Babler took an autumn break after an initial alibi had been approached, this time the negotiations and work will take place between Christmas and New Year. “After the holidays it’s time to get to work. Then the goose becomes crispy,” reveals an insider. All points that were red at the traffic light in the first few laps (due to no agreement) must then be raised and become a matter for the boss.
This also applies to the subject of economics, in which the ÖVP and NEOS are still far from an agreement with the SPÖ. As the “Krone” learned, this was one of the most important topics during yesterday’s ÖVP meeting. According to reports, Nehammer and some state leaders placed their trust in Peter Hanke, councilor for finance of the Vienna SPÖ. He maintains a good relationship with many ÖVP luminaries, but was not appointed chief negotiator on the issue by his own party. “Hanke subsequently remained silent in almost all rounds of negotiations,” was the disappointment of the People’s Party. For Babel’s confidante Michaela Schmidt, who negotiates the economy for the SPÖ instead of Hanke, relief in the negotiations would always have been a red flag.
The SPÖ also remains steadfast in its demand to maintain the Ministry of Finance. The Red ex-minister and leader of the Upper Austrian state party Alois Stöger announced in parallel to the negotiations in Palais Epstein that the ÖVP had to admit that its course in the field of budget policy had failed. However, this could not dampen the good mood among the negotiators in Palais Epstein.
A fundamental agreement will be sought this year, and the year 2025 will then be used for organizational matters and the distribution of ministerial posts, according to the secret plan.
According to data provided by the European Commission on Sunday, Austria will have to save up to 24 billion euros over the next four years. The specific amount depends on which option you choose: a consolidation process over four or seven years, or an EU deficit procedure also over four or seven years.
While the ÖVP and NEOS want to avoid a deficit procedure, the SPÖ prefers this option because the consolidation path would be gentler and the scope would be the largest in terms of expenditure.
“Traffic light system” for sweet disputes
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) said in a press statement on Tuesday that it had been “intense last weeks”. The Chancellor explained that we are working according to a traffic light system: “All areas that are green have already been negotiated and can be included in the government programme.” Other areas that are still in red still need to be negotiated.
There were often “very passionate negotiations,” Nehammer said: “Occasionally there were arguments, but that’s good because whatever is discussed now will then enable constructive government work.”
SPÖ leader Andreas Babler agreed: “It is striking that we also want to tackle the big challenges.” The budgetary challenges are particularly great, but strengthening health and education systems is also an important issue.
“There will be no government under a Christmas tree”
NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger said that it is mainly those areas “that are difficult in terms of budget” where negotiations still need to be conducted. “But we agree that the lowest common denominator is not what moves us forward in times like these.” Therefore: “There will be no government under the Christmas tree.”
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.
