After the quick budget agreement, the coalition negotiators of the FPÖ and ÖVP are now working on the details. According to reports, negotiations could last about a month before a possible official announcement of a new government. An earlier appointment, for example at the end of the month, is also not excluded.
On Monday, interim Finance Minister Gunter Mayr traveled to Brussels with Blauw-Zwart’s seven-year restructuring plan to avoid the impending EU deficit procedure. The FPÖ and ÖVP expect the green light from the EU on Thursday. On the basis of this austerity plan, the content of a blue-black government must be negotiated quickly.
Already on Tuesday, a team of high-level negotiators will discuss the further timetable and the division of the subgroups. Party leaders Herbert Kickl and Christian Stocker are not there.
It is said that there are about a dozen negotiating groups
As the “Krone” learned, there will be about a dozen negotiating groups. It is not yet known who will be there for the parties. Only the top groups that should be led by the party leaders are certain.
In addition to Stocker, the ÖVP consists of club chairman August Wöginger, general secretary Alexander Pröll, chairman of the economic chamber (and chairman of the economic association) Harald Mahrer, the former state secretary and chairman of the Young ÖVP Claudia Plakolm and chairman of the farmers’ association Georg Strasser. .
On the FPÖ side, the team appointed on October 2 and last confirmed by the party headquarters is negotiating: it is led by Kickl, other members are the two general secretaries Michael Schnedlitz and Christian Hafenecker, club director Norbert Nemeth, foreign policy and neutrality spokeswoman Susanne Fürst, Arnold Schiefer as economic expert and FPÖ Lower Austrian club president Reinhard Teufel.
Who will get ministerial posts?
Further decisions, such as possible ministerial positions, could be discussed with the Freedom Party next weekend. The extensive party leadership then traditionally meets on the eve of the FPÖ New Year’s meeting in Vösendorf, Lower Austria. Not only the top representatives of the federal party are present there, but also representatives of the states.
This is how Blauw-Zwart wants to save money
Meanwhile, the first details have also been leaked about how a blue-black government wants to save money. According to the Ö1 “Mittagsjournal”, a special dividend from the state holding company ÖBAG is being considered, and higher payouts are also planned at Asfinag and the Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft (BIG). Negotiators are said to be assuming a “significant three-digit figure in millions.” According to the ORF report, they also want to work on increasing the value of retirement accounts.
Prestige green projects are on the brink of extinction
The FPÖ and ÖVP are reportedly hoping for further savings through measures to automatically valorize social benefits, which should generate 150 million euros this year. The additional income in addition to unemployment benefits must also be reduced. As expected, green prestige projects such as climate bonuses, climate tickets, tax breaks for electric cars and the promotion of photovoltaic systems and educational leave could also likely be hit by cuts.
Criticism from Green government members
For the current Minister of Climate Protection Leonore Gewessler (Greens), the rumored projects speak “a clear language”. Above all, she fears a “clear break in climate protection”. Her party colleague, Minister of Social Affairs Johannes Rauch, spoke of “brutal plans for social cuts”.
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.
