No rental brake! – After damper: National Council decides on housing subsidies

Against the background of inflation, the subsidies for housing and heating that the federal states will pay this year will be increased by 225 million euros by the federal government. In addition, the so-called ‘living screen’, which is intended to protect against evictions, will be expanded by 25 million before 2024. Three Corona referendums were also debated.

Watch out for cell phones while driving
The second legal focus of the first of two sessions of the National Council this week concerns traffic. Using a mobile phone while driving will become significantly more expensive. In the future, 100 euros will have to be paid out instead of the previous 50 euros. Failure to wear a seat belt or crash helmet will result in a fine of 50 euros instead of 35 euros.

Economy is stable
The plenary week started with a “Current Hour”. The ÖVP had given the subject of “work” and never got tired of praising its own achievements. The economy is stable, growth prospects are positive and private consumption is stable. Labor Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) praised the government’s work as a result of the programs to boost purchasing power. Salzburg MP Peter Haubner used his position as first speaker to make a recommendation for Governor Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP).

Opposition holds government accountable
The opposition led to much criticism of the issue. For example, the SPÖ and FPÖ have spoken extensively about waiving the rent brake. FSG boss Rainer Wimmer was angry about a subsidy for apartment building owners, the Liberal general secretary Michael Schnedlitz saw an attempt to push the population into poverty. The NEOS, in turn, focused on the labor shortage. Club boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger blamed the ÖVP’s conservative family policy, which does not create enough childcare places, as well as a xenophobic policy that does not allow workers to enter the country.

The corona referendums were also an issue
Finally, three referenda were discussed, all more or less directly about the corona pandemic. One therefore called for the resignation of the federal government, the other for compensation for the corona measures and the other for their abolition. The reports from the constitutional and health commissions were noted for all three. The FPÖ submitted a resolution for a federal corona compensation fund with a minimum of 250 million euros, which was not supported by any other parliamentary group.