Bank Levy in the Focus of Coalition Negotiations

For the first time, this demand by the Freedom Party was supposed to be officially addressed in the responsible sub-group. However, from the perspective of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), this was not the case, as ÖVP negotiator and President of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Harald Mahrer, explained to Ö1. For the Freedom Party, however, the demand remains in place.

FPÖ's Demand for Bank Levy Not Discussed According to ÖVP

"We discuss all proposals that have been put on the table. And today, no bank levy was put on the table by the Freedom Party," Mahrer emphasised after the negotiations to Ö1. FPÖ negotiator Hubert Fuchs saw it a little differently: "This is always a topic. You know our demands. And the demands naturally remain in place," he stressed. Negotiations in the Taxes and Finance group are set to continue on Monday.

Before that, namely already on Thursday, the party leaders could meet. Then it could also be that FP chairman Herbert Kickl and VP chairman Christian Stocker once again face the media. It would be practical if the two could report progress, especially after the disagreements last weekend. Whether there will be any regarding the bank levy is open. Meanwhile, various rumours are circulating about the talks, from speed limit 150, tightening for asylum seekers, to Corona compensations in the media.

ÖVP Appears Willing to Compromise on Bank Levy

The ÖVP was somewhat taken aback when the FPÖ launched this demand a few days ago. Because the People's Party had justified the failure of the talks with the SPÖ, among other things, with their demand for a bank levy. Now, it seems that they are willing to approach the Freedom Party, probably also due to a lack of alternatives. For example, the "Salzburger Nachrichten" refers to negotiating circles, according to which the banks could endow a fund in the three-digit million range, which is not intended to (co-)sanitise the budget, but could particularly benefit small and medium-sized businesses.

Currently, few representatives of the ÖVP are officially commenting on this. One of them is the Mayor of Wiener Neustadt, Klaus Schneeberger, who spoke out against categorically excluding a levy on Tuesday evening in the ORF "Report". One must look at how this can be designed to benefit the population and the economy, for example with the aim of cheaper loans. When asked how he now imagines a levy, he said: "One that hurts less."

Speed Limit 150 and Corona

The bank levy is not the only topic that is being speculated about. This also includes speed limit 150, which has already been tested by Freedom Party transport ministers in previous legislative periods. "Kurier" and "Kleine Zeitung" write that this wish also appears in the Freedom Party's negotiation programme this time. The Austrian Traffic Club spoke out against it on Wednesday.

Also, Corona will shape the negotiations. According to FPÖ ideas, a Corona compensation fund should be established following the model of Lower Austria, which should also include compensation for penalties for violating Covid measures. Corona has not yet been discussed in detail in the group negotiations, according to reports. The topic is likely to slip into the boss round, like Skyshield or European politics.

Less Medical Services for Recognised Asylum Seekers?

The asylum sector, where the lines of the two parties have increasingly converged in recent years, is probably not too difficult for the coalition. However, there are also topics of discussion here. According to "Kronen Zeitung", there is even consideration of reducing medical services for already recognised asylum seekers, which, however, reportedly meets with little enthusiasm from the ÖVP.

According to the ideas of the Freedom Party, basic care should only provide emergency care and money should also be deducted from the service. Once recognised, one could receive a better level of care if certain integration goals are achieved. Whether all this is legally possible is now being clarified by an expert opinion, according to "Krone".

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) said on Wednesday on the sidelines of a press appointment that he did not want to comment on the government talks "in any way". However, he emphasised that he was "very proud" to "live in a country where people who are sick are also cared for. This will continue to be the case in the future." But where a system is being abused, he wants to fight it.

Speed Limit 150: VCÖ Issues Warning

The introduction of a speed limit of 150 on motorways, which according to media reports is to be a topic in the government negotiations between FPÖ and ÖVP, would have multiple negative consequences, emphasises the mobility organisation VCÖ. Compared to a speed limit of 130, the CO2 emissions of cars increase on average by 19 percent, fine dust emissions by 31 percent and those of nitrogen oxides by 44 percent. This is accompanied by increased fuel consumption and traffic noise, as well as an increased risk of accidents.

An increase in the speed limit contradicts the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality in Austria, the VCÖ also points out, referring to data from the Federal Environment Agency. Fuel consumption also increases with speed. A car that needs 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres at 130 km/h burns an average of 7.7 litres at 150 km/h. If the car accelerates more frequently after braking manoeuvres, fuel consumption increases additionally, the VCÖ informed on Wednesday in a press release.

The greater speed differences and more frequent braking manoeuvres in turn worsen the flow of traffic, increasing the risk of traffic jams. In addition, the range decreases, while the stopping distance, which consists of the reaction distance and braking distance, increases significantly. While a car at 130 km/h on a dry road and a reaction time of 0.8 seconds comes to a stop after 73 metres in an emergency braking situation, the car at the same conditions with 150 km/h still has a speed of 122 km/h after 73 metres, warns the VCÖ.

"The price for a time gain, which will be significantly less in practice than in theory, would be high: More fuel consumption, more traffic noise for the residents, more health-damaging pollutants, increased CO2 emissions and an increased risk of accidents due to the significantly longer stopping distance," summarised Michael Schwendinger from the VCÖ. The already existing FPÖ-ÖVP coalition at the state level in Styria is also considering the abolition of the fine dust speed limit on motorways in the Graz area - the so-called air speed limit of 100, according to media reports.

(APA/Red)

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