Integration, Climate, Toilets: This is in the Vienna Government Program

The Vienna SPÖ and NEOS are continuing their collaboration, which has been ongoing since the Vienna election in 2020. The "Progress Coalition" is becoming the "Upswing Coalition." Plans and declarations of intent have been spread over a total of 191 pages. The promised upswing is to be achieved as a business location, but also in education, climate protection, and the social sector.

New Edition of Red-Pink in Vienna Brings Reforms

The program is under the aspect of the tense budget situation. According to the government program, consolidation is to be tackled with structural reforms, the evaluation of subsidies, and a counter-financing obligation for new measures. Where cuts in subsidies could be made is not specified in detail. "Consolidation must not mean cuts without qualitative consideration - but prioritization and efficiency," is at least assured.

The Government Program of SPÖ and NEOS in Detail

More Dividends from Investments

Municipal investments are being held accountable. They should distribute more dividends. Additionally, synergies are being sought: "In areas where multiple companies perform comparable tasks, the joint organization of operations, administration, and management should be examined and - where sensible - implemented."

Investments in Digitalization and AI

In parallel, investments are to be made despite the need for savings, such as in infrastructure. "We want to make Vienna the leading location for digitalization and high technology," it says. Specifically mentioned is the evaluation of an expansion of the AI Life Science Center, the promotion of digitalization with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in research, the establishment of a competence center for cyber security and cyber defense, as well as the application for the establishment of an "AI Gigafactory." At the same time, neighborhood initiatives are also to be promoted.

Climate Neutrality by 2024 and Public Transport Test Routes

In the environmental sector, the goal to become climate neutral by 2040 is reaffirmed. The expansion of district heating will be further advanced, as well as activities in the field of deep geothermal energy. The use of photovoltaics will be intensified. This also includes a new "Vienna Renewable Plan." In terms of public transport, test tracks for autonomous driving are planned, among other things. The subway is expected to reach Rothneusiedl by 2034. The coalition hopes to agree with the federal government on a "balanced financing" for this expansion phase as well.

Cycling Path Initiative Continues and Redesign of Vienna's Ring Road

The cycling path initiative is also to be continued. 20,000 trees are to be planted in the coming years, and the Ring Road is to be redesigned. A separation of pedestrian and bicycle traffic is promised there, with the "potential of side roads" to be utilized. Details on the redesign are not yet available. However, the implementation of the planned entry restrictions into Vienna's city center is a prerequisite for the measure, as noted. The Lobau Tunnel or the northeast bypass, however, are not mentioned.

Cable Car to Kahlenberg Must Wait

Even potential cable car projects are given a section. "We are open to cable car connections as part of future-oriented mobility," it says. Where they are "traffic-wise sensible," they can be imagined. However, the only project currently being concretely discussed apparently does not fall under this. "We continue to rule out a cable car to Kahlenberg," it is clarified. The commitment to the UNESCO World Heritage is also affirmed. At the same time, it is noted that skyscrapers can contribute to reducing land sealing.

Action "Nice Toilet"

Even seemingly smaller adjustments are being made. There is a promise to intensify the expansion of public toilets. Additionally, a cooperation model with the gastronomy sector is being developed. The action "Nice Toilet" aims to allow the use of restrooms without the obligation to make a purchase.

Bid for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026

A very current development is also reflected in the program: The city is applying to host the 70th Eurovision Song Contest next year in Austria: "We see this as another opportunity to present Vienna as the most livable city in the world." In "close coordination" with ORF, however, budget consolidation and "efficient resource use" are to be the focus, in order to create an "economically and organizationally good framework" for the event.

More Staff for the Education Sector

The future city government sees the shortage of skilled workers in the education sector as a challenge. Therefore, the goal is to expand the workforce according to needs. Elementary education is seen as the "foundation" of the education system, so the "Elementary Education Plan" will be continued. Career changers should be enabled to enter elementary education, the care ratio improved, preparation times legally anchored and expanded, and the hours for assistants increased. A stronger focus will also be placed on language support by extending the mandatory attendance for these children in the compulsory kindergarten year from 20 to 30 hours.

Expansion of "School Nurses" and Zero Tolerance Against Violence

In collaboration with the federal government, the "Joint School for 6- to 14-year-olds" is to be advanced. There is also a commitment to expand school social work and "School Nurses," as well as to strengthen school autonomy and expand all-day schools. Zero tolerance is to be shown against violence in schools. The area of adult education is also to be expanded.

Coexistence Regulated in Vienna Integration Code

A "Vienna Integration Code" is to be developed, in which the principles of coexistence are enshrined. The past years have shown that integration must also be "demanded," according to the coalition pact. An integration report is to be created annually, setting and measuring clear indicators for integration. In addition, German language support offers are to be expanded and projects like "Community Communicators" continued. The federal government is expected to impose a residency requirement for asylum seekers and those with subsidiary protection.

Vienna Remains Austria's "Rainbow Capital"

Under the heading "Living Well Together," it is stated that Vienna sees itself as a "human rights city." Therefore, not only should the human rights office established ten years ago be maintained as an "integral part of the city administration," but human rights should be anchored as a cross-cutting issue, including staff training. Vienna continues to be proclaimed as Austria's "Rainbow Capital," with the "Vienna Pride" and the Rainbow Parade remaining visible signs of this. The fight against hate crime, anti-Semitism, and racism will continue. The equality of girls and women is to be advanced, with the 24-hour women's emergency hotline, the Vienna Women's Shelters Association, and the FEM MED women's health center being continued. Women are also to be specifically promoted in the labor market, and the focus on protection against violence is to be continued.

Place Juvenile Offenders Outside Vienna

The future city government also wants to address the fight against child and youth crime. "Orientation helpers" are to be deployed for these young people. As a "last resort," a "closed socio-educational facility outside Vienna for juvenile intensive offenders" is considered necessary. The legal framework for this must, of course, be created at the federal level.

Investments in Health and Care

In the health sector, outpatient services and regional health centers are to be expanded, and initial care clinics are to be evaluated and developed. Additionally, the digital transformation in healthcare is to be continued and telemedicine further developed, with "Health Advice 1450" as the central contact point and "Vienna Healthy" as the digital entry point into the healthcare system. Furthermore, measures for health promotion and prevention are to be expanded.

In the area of care, the "Care Strategy 2030" is to be adhered to and the services sustainably improved. There is also a desire to overcome the barriers between the health and social systems. The Vienna Social Fund is to continue to provide the central contact point for those affected. And with the program "Care.Future.Vienna," the aim is to continue to secure the long-term personnel needs in this area.

Reform of Vienna's Minimum Security Planned

The red-pink government wants to evaluate the accuracy of Vienna's minimum security. Together with child and youth services, the living situation of families with multiple children receiving minimum security is to be reviewed. The interactions with federal benefits such as family allowance, Family Bonus Plus, and benefits under maintenance law are also to be examined. The goal is a reform of minimum security, especially for families with children and people living in shared accommodations. There should also be support for the effort to further develop social assistance and minimum security uniformly across the country.

Engagement in Ukraine

Internationally, Vienna wants to engage in Ukraine, among other places. A contribution to the reconstruction of Ukrainian cities is promised. The transfer of know-how in urban planning is on the agenda here. For this purpose, city partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities are also being sought. Additionally, Vienna will join the "European Alliance of Cities and Regions for the Reconstruction of Ukraine" of the Committee of the Regions.

(APA/Red)

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