Harsh Criticism of Stocker Due to Pension Statement

The coalition partners, however, showed openness to only moderate increases. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler wants to negotiate a "socially balanced" package, while the NEOS saw a "need for adjustment" in pensions.

Vice Chancellor Babler (SPÖ) said before the start of the government retreat that Stocker had informed him of his demands regarding pensions in advance of the ORF Summer Talk. "It is important to me that this does not come at the expense of pensioners who do not have high pensions," said the Vice Chancellor. This group needs to be protected, and it is "not conceivable to come down very far." That is the SPÖ's negotiating position, and exact values will be worked out in concrete negotiations. The package must in any case be "socially balanced" and coordinated with pensioner representatives.

With Social Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ), it sounded somewhat different. She was not aware of Stocker's initiative, and ultimately it is she who must lead the negotiations, her office told the "Standard".

Stocker wants to decide "with prudence"

How far below the 2.7 percent one will come will ultimately be a negotiation result, said Chancellor Stocker. However: "The further, the better." Small pensions should be increased to a greater extent. It is "no pleasure" to have to convey this to pensioners. Stocker spoke of a "national necessity." It requires "bold decisions with prudence," for which the government may also have to "enter into one or another conflict." Even if pensions are not explicitly the topic of the government retreat, discussions on this are already underway.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) emphasized the need for decisive measures. "It is no secret that we see a corresponding need for adjustment in pensions and civil servants," said the NEOS position. The economic situation is bad, but she wants to convey "confidence" and "determination," said Meinl-Reisinger.

But also the head of the ÖVP-affiliated Senior Citizens' Association, Ingrid Korosec, called an increase below inflation "unsocial, unjust, and disproportionate" and, like the president of the SPÖ-affiliated Pensioners' Association, Birgit Gerstorfer, demanded 2.7 percent.

Pensioners should not be "burdened twice and thrice," said Korosec. Already now, with the increase in health insurance contributions by 0.9 percentage points to 6 percent - which applies exclusively to them - they are making a massive contribution to budget consolidation. Especially in times of rising living costs, pensioners should not be the losers, "Every percentage point less is a de facto pension cut that these people cannot afford," said Korosec. The increases could remain significantly below the 2.7 percent - Stocker set the two percent mark as a target value. Korosec calls for talks and negotiations with the Senior Citizens' Council, which have not taken place so far.

Gerstorfer echoed the same sentiment: "It is deeply unfair and unsocial that mainly the older generation should finance the budget and health insurance fund rehabilitation as well as the planned economic package," she said in a statement. The "wave of burdens" for pensioners must come to an end - they are particularly suffering from the increase in health insurance contributions for pensioners, the introduction of the e-card fee for pensioners, the end of free medical transport, the abolition of the climate bonus, the increase in fees for passports and the like, as well as the end of the electricity price brake.

Pension Statement: FPÖ Sees "Mockery", Greens "Strong Stuff"

FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz showed himself "appalled" by the statements. "It is truly a mockery when Stocker wants to fob off pensioners with a meager two percent pension increase, while the mass migration from all over the world still finds paradise-like conditions in the social hammock," he is quoted in a release.

The Green social spokesperson Markus Koza, on the other hand, described cuts in pensions as "strong stuff". A pension increase that is significantly below the inflation rate would particularly affect recipients of lower and lower-middle pensions - and thus especially women. "Saving on the backs of these pensioners, who already have to turn every euro twice, is simply unacceptable," Koza states. He sees potential for savings in foregoing "tax gifts" within the framework of "working in old age": "Flat tax and reduced contributions burden the budget and the pension insurance by up to 470 million euros a year. These generous tax gifts, from which primarily high-income pensioners benefit, can be safely dispensed with."

Doskozil: "SPÖ Must Not Support This"

The SPÖ Burgenland also showed itself "outraged" by Stocker's statements on Tuesday. "After the discussion about raising the statutory retirement age, this de facto pension cut is now the second attempt to make pensioners pay for the ÖVP's budget disaster," said state party leader Hans Peter Doskozil in a release and demanded: "The SPÖ must not support this." Pensioners have paid into the system for decades, what they are entitled to is now "not a question of political will, but a question of justice," emphasized the governor.

That inflation hits pensioners particularly hard was also emphasized by the ÖGB federal pensioners' chairwoman Monika Kemperle: "Just a few months ago, people in Austria were promised that pensions would not be touched. Unfortunately, today it is clear that this promise is not being kept."

IV Sees "Right Signal"

For the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Stocker's announcement is "the right signal". It shows problem awareness and creates "room for maneuver," it was stated in a release. The IV continues to insist on a comprehensive reform of the pension system, including an adjustment of the statutory age limits. The previous changes in partial and corridor pensions are "not yet far-reaching enough".

(APA/Red)

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