FPÖ-ÖVP Coalition: Greens Detect Danger for Vienna

They are convinced that this would also have massive negative effects on Vienna. The Greens fear a "clear-cutting" of the social system, impacts on the expansion of public transport, and even an "Orbanization" of the media landscape. They do not expect an early Vienna election, but they would be prepared for it, they assured.

Vienna Green Party Leader Expects FPÖ-ÖVP Coalition

"Our fear has come true, blue-black is coming," the party leader and designated top candidate for the municipal election, Judith Pühringer, was convinced at a press conference. Many people in Austria are now worried about what this means. She is "angry" at those parties that were responsible for the breakdown of the previous negotiations between ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS, she stated.

Criticism was directed at cuts in the social sector, such as the abolition of additional earning opportunities. This would cause vulnerable people to lose their connection to the job market, Pühringer warned. "We want poverty to be fought, not the poor." The Greens also see the subway expansion in Vienna at risk. Not all contracts with the federal government have been finalized yet, it was emphasized.

In media policy, the FPÖ would proceed according to the "playbook" of the far right, Pühringer criticized. Initial statements already show what one can expect. For example, Vienna's FPÖ leader Dominik Nepp openly rejoiced about a possible end for the "Standard", she referred to a statement by the Vienna chief blue. He had also referred to the newspaper as a "crap sheet".

No Early Vienna Election?

Co-party leader Peter Kraus also complained that an end to subsidies in the environmental sector would also endanger the business location. The Greens stand for a "counterpoint" to blue-black, he assured - also with regard to the upcoming Vienna election. The Vienna ÖVP will have a very hard time presenting itself as a reliable partner, Kraus speculated.

Because their leader Karl Mahrer has repeatedly ruled out a Chancellor Herbert Kickl. Now he defends the talks with the FPÖ. According to their own statements, the Greens do not assume that the Vienna election scheduled for autumn could actually be brought forward. If this should be the case, however, they can also live with it. "We are ready at any time," Kraus assured.

The Vienna ÖVP state chairman also sees a possible danger - but rather through a possible renewed government participation of the Greens in Vienna. "The product of 25 years of left-left politics in the Vienna City Hall is visible: Excessive social benefits have made Vienna a magnet for social issues and crime," Mahrer found. He also cited youth unemployment, an "overburdened" health system and a "veritable failure of education". The Greens have made a significant contribution to all these problems, he said in a statement.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.