Monday will be a major clash between the federal government and the opposition to the energy crisis. While it is already more or less certain that the electricity bill will in any case be capped, the SPÖ and FPÖ are already putting pressure on them – suspension of, for example, VAT is also being demanded. However, no new measures are likely to be taken on Monday.
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) mainly plans to provide information about the planned procedure on Monday. The Vice-Chancellor, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Energy and the Minister of the Economy, as well as representatives of the opposition, the federal states, the social partners and experts from the energy sector, all sit at the crisis cabinet table. According to the Chancellery, this concerns advising on the status of the energy supply in Austria.
“It is important that all political actors have a secure level of information,” Nehammer emphasized on Sunday. Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) will provide an overview of gas storage and diversification and infrastructure projects.
SPÖ: High time to present results
The SPÖ interprets the date as the required “price top” and notes that the Turquoise Green government has now “observed and checked enough”. It is high time to finally present concrete results, says Deutsch. The SPÖ demands the immediate introduction of an energy price cap for gas and electricity, fuel price caps, a temporary suspension of VAT on food and a rent reduction.
In order to finance the measures, the excess profits of energy companies must be skimmed off, the Reds believe.
FPÖ wants price freeze on important goods
So is Belakowitsch: in September 2021, the FPÖ submitted an application to create a Covid 19 shopping basket with goods and services such as food prices, prices of hygiene items, rents, heating costs, fuel prices and travel costs in public transport. With increases of more than ten percent, a freeze in state prices was planned, it said in a broadcast.
A month later, they also called for a ceiling on electricity prices. Now it’s time for the government to put its cards on the table – they want to know how the price cap the government is considering should work.
Summit becomes a business of the boss
On the opposition side, SPÖ boss Pamela Rendi-Wagner, NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Belakowitsch have announced their presence in the chancellery. The city of Vienna is represented as chairman of the provincial governors by alderman Peter Hanke (SPÖ). The chief secretary of the ÖGB, Ingrid Reischl, participates from the union. A media appearance is planned in the Chancellery around 6 p.m.
Ombudsman for the disabled demands compensation for living expenses
Disability lawyer Hansjörg Hofer has since demanded compensation for living expenses for people with disabilities. For example, many have a greater need for personal services or medical supplies. “I am arguing for a 13th social assistance benefit or minimum income for people with disabilities,” explains Hofer.
Source: Krone
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