Burgenland Government Program Presented
After a week of negotiations, a "innovative, future-oriented, stable" government agreement was achieved, said Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ). He and his deputy Anja Haider-Wallner (Greens) highlighted health, care, asylum and migration, as well as a separate climate protection law as central themes.
Care, Asylum, Transparency
On over 130 pages, the SPÖ and the Greens have summarized their plans in various areas. In terms of care, the existing model of care support points is to be further expanded, and in asylum policy, it was agreed that the payment card for asylum seekers will not be introduced in Burgenland, said Doskozil. Measures are also planned regarding transparency: In the event of a criminal indictment against government members or deputies, it should be stipulated by state law that the affected individuals must automatically suspend their functions.
Thanks from Doskozil
Doskozil thanked the Greens for coalition negotiations "on equal footing," which he had "not yet experienced in this manner" in his political career. A "future coalition" has emerged, where "it's not about positions, but solely about the positioning of our homeland."
There will be no major changes in the distribution of portfolios among the government members. The three previous state councilors Heinrich Dorner, Leonhard Schneemann, and Daniela Winkler (all SPÖ) will retain their responsibilities. Winkler will newly take on women's agendas and citizenships in addition to education, Schneemann will take on municipalities and elections alongside economy and social affairs. Dorner will continue with construction, spatial planning, transport, and housing promotion. Haider-Wallner, as deputy, will take on environment, nature conservation, energy, and agriculture, as well as consumer protection.
"Pragmatic Approach" to Asylum and Migration
For the governor, it is important to continue the care model with the realization of the 71 care support points and the expansion to all municipalities. On the topic of asylum and migration, there is a "pragmatic approach," the SPÖ state party leader admitted that tolerance and mutual understanding are needed. Especially in this "difficult topic," the Burgenland model could be exemplary. In addition to the upper limit of a maximum of 330 places in basic care and the charitable work for asylum seekers with a symbolic compensation of 1.30 euros, no payment card will be introduced in Burgenland. "Introducing an expensive system for 40 euros a month in pocket money is bizarre and polemical politics. We both do not want this policy." Such "nonsense" like the payment card will therefore not be introduced in Burgenland as the only federal state, they distance themselves from the announcement, emphasized Doskozil.
The new state government plans, as has already been announced, to establish three training workshops focusing on tourism, electrical engineering, and metal technology. These are to be implemented in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce. In general, a hand is to be extended towards the economy and agriculture, and in the state parliament, Doskozil hopes that discussions will take place without polarization. Similar to the suspension in the public service, a politician against whom a legally binding indictment exists must put their political function on hold, Doskozil announced a corresponding state law. In the case of an acquittal, the path leads back to the function.
"Future Plan as a Countermodel"
A Burgenland climate protection law is also being developed, an animal shelter is coming to Southern Burgenland, and for soil protection, vacancy charges for larger commercial properties as well as a de-sealing premium and a de-sealing competition are planned, announced Haider-Wallner. "When I look to Vienna, at what the FPÖ and ÖVP are planning in terms of social cutbacks and setbacks in climate policy, it makes me feel sorry for our youth. We have five dark years ahead of us. Burgenland is different, we present the Future Plan 2030 and it is a countermodel to the right-wing populist noise." The program is called "Cohesion, Security, and Sustainability" - "that sounds a bit unspectacular," but behind it stands a positive future narrative, said the new Deputy Governor. "We are here because we want to take responsibility for Burgenland and its people. We have worked out in intensive discussions what this responsibility can look like." Some of it has caused pain for the Greens, some for the Reds, she also admitted.
"Yes, there are compromises included," but the program contains numerous points on which the two parties are already in agreement. Therefore, the negotiations were concluded so quickly, as the election programs had already shown overlaps, noted Haider-Wallner. For the population, the government program brings "tangible improvements," for example in economic policy, digitalization, health and care, or in sustainability and climate protection.
Compromise at Gols Hospital
To "all those who were worried" that the Greens would be taken advantage of or "are the cheaper partner," she addressed: "I can reassure them, there is a consistent green thread." The negotiations were fair and respectful. "Much of what we set out to do has been successful." The compromise at Gols Hospital and in asylum policy, where the Greens will ensure that human rights are upheld, caused "pain." Regarding the planned hospital construction in Gols (district of Neusiedl am See), it was agreed that replacement areas twice the size will be newly designated as a nature reserve or renatured. Land sealing will be limited, and the construction will be connected to public transport. On the topic of asylum, there were "longer discussions," but a solution was found "that suits both." She herself was only sworn into the state parliament a good half year ago, during the election campaign it was uncertain whether the Greens would make it back into the state parliament, and on Thursday she will be sworn in as Deputy Governor: "I take on the task with great respect."
The topic of the state budget was given several hours in the negotiations, said Haider-Wallner. During the election campaign, she spoke of the state holding as a "black box," now she expects that the new freedom of information law - at the federal level - will provide more transparency here. It will also be ensured that subsidies are awarded transparently and comprehensibly.
Ehrnhöfer Office Manager at Haider-Wallner
The function of government coordinators is new, on the red side this will be the now replaced state parliament president Robert Hergovich. Who will take on the role on the Green side will be decided by the club in the coming days, said Haider-Wallner. She admitted that the green offices will not start fully staffed. However, it is already clear that the previous chief of staff of Minister Leonore Gewessler, Felix Ehrnhöfer, will become her office manager.
Regarding the financially precarious situation of the municipalities, Doskozil continued to express willingness to negotiate by suggesting that the waste association be transferred to the state and, in return, the kindergarten staff be funded. Haider-Wallner pointed out the necessary two-thirds majority in the state parliament, which Red and Green alone cannot achieve.
With a view to the blue-turquoise negotiations at the federal level, Doskozil stated: "It's about positions, personal sensitivities, power. Not about our homeland or our population." What he liked most about the Burgenland negotiations was that, even with the upcoming difficult conditions, "the best possible outcome for the population" was always the focus.
FPÖ and ÖVP Criticize
Criticism of the red-green government program came from FPÖ and ÖVP. The designated Freedom Party club chairman Norbert Hofer was, as in the election campaign, bothered by the financial policy and the handling of tax money. "The Greens are not the brake in this coalition, but an accelerator when it comes to continuing to financially overburden the country," said Hofer. He wants to be a "corrective" himself as chairman of the Court of Audit Committee. In the inaugural state parliament session on Thursday, he will stand for election and subsequently "exploit all possibilities of the rules of procedure."
ÖVP state party chairman Christian Sagartz also stated in a press release that Doskozil would continue his economic and financial policy course and his approach to the municipalities even in a red-green coalition. It will be seen whether the government is "a real partnership or a tactical alliance of convenience." The ÖVP will position itself as a "strong and constructive opposition," said Sagartz.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.