For the third and final time, Salzburg Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP) formally took over the chairmanship of the State Governors Conference on Friday. Namely from the Upper Austrian Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP). During the ceremony at Michaelbeuern Abbey, he offered the future federal government a “reform partnership”.
The aim of the Reform Partnership is to be able to carry out the upcoming tasks in a leaner, more efficient and cost-effective manner in the future. “We need to investigate the question of which tasks can best be handled where in Austria. The goal is to guarantee optimal care and be able to finance it,” Haslauer said the day after he announced his resignation on July 2, that is, immediately after the end of his presidency, which changes alphabetically from state to state every six months.
Haslauer wants more money for the tasks of the states
In addition to the issue of the division of powers between the federal and state governments, money will also be an issue in the next six months. There is a “gigantic cost development” in the areas under the responsibility of the states, such as healthcare, social affairs, compulsory schools and childcare, so one must “rethink the key vertically, so to speak”. “We need more resources or we can’t maintain the standards,” Haslauer said.
Stelzer emphasized that he uses the term “difficult times” carefully, “but we have been through a lot lately. There are many tasks ahead of us this year, from which we must develop perspectives and opportunities for people.”
There is also a change in the presidency of the Federal Council
Today’s ceremony also saw the official transfer of the presidency of the Federal Council, which changes analogously to the presidency of the LH Conference and has now passed from Upper Austrian Franz Ebner to Andrea Eder-Gitschthaler from Salzburg.
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.
