Progress Made in Coalition Negotiations
For example, ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS are said to have found common ground in the areas of migration and integration as well as health, and an energy corporation tax is almost certain according to "Krone". The ÖVP Economic Association, however, is resisting the debate about more tax burden, which was recently also fueled by party leader Karl Nehammer.
Integration and Health
There is already said to be an agreement on an "integration package", reported the Ö1 "Mittagsjournal". This includes faster access to the labor market and in-kind benefits instead of cash benefits for asylum seekers. The social insurance reform by Türkis-Blau could be partially reversed. In the health sector, the negotiators allegedly want to achieve a guaranteed appointment for doctor visits. And a new attempt at reforming the directive peak in the judiciary is also planned. No side wanted to confirm the contents upon APA request, it was said that negotiations would continue swiftly.
Successful Coalition Negotiations?
By December 12, all subgroups should have initially completed their work. By then it should be clear on which points the three parties agree, where there are still open questions and where they do not find each other at all. The unresolved points should then be reviewed by the steering group, which includes the party leaders as well as the presidents of ÖGB and the Chamber of Commerce, Wolfgang Katzian and Harald Mahrer.
The biggest sticking point in the government negotiations is still the financial situation, as there is a huge budget hole. ÖVP chairman Nehammer recently did not rule out tax increases for budget consolidation - that would be "absurd", he said in interviews. The Chancellor made it clear that inheritance and wealth tax were out of the question for him. However, he expected discussions on a higher property tax in the relevant working group.
ÖVP Economic Association Against "New Burdens"
However, not everyone in the ÖVP is obviously happy with the recent tax debate. The negotiations should "not be about new burdens", tried Economic Association Secretary General and negotiator Kurt Egger in the "Press" (Saturday edition) to end the discussion again. Politics must instead create the framework conditions for "growth and a comeback of the location", Egger said. "A discussion about new taxes is not the solution, and it is not the solution for any challenge of our time." We need to "have a debate about the state's expenditures", he says, "and not talk about new taxes". Egger: "Budget consolidation should now run in such a way that one thinks about how to create growth again."
(APA/Red)
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