Coalition Negotiations on Budget and Lighthouses
Before the coalition talks in the Federal Chancellery on Monday, party leaders Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), Andreas Babler (SPÖ) and Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) barely showed themselves to the media representatives present.
Coalition Negotiations: Agreement in the Subgroup on Migration
There will also not be a press conference after the meeting of the leaders. However, there is said to be agreement between the parties on some issues. In addition to a seven-year budget consolidation, according to media reports, the migration subgroup has also agreed to reintroduce the mandatory integration year. This is to include, among other things, German and values courses for asylum seekers. According to "Standard", its completion is to become a prerequisite for a positive asylum decision.
While their formation is still open, the former EU Commissioner and ÖVP politician Franz Fischler sees no alternative to the three-party coalition. Blue-Turquoise would "tear apart" the ÖVP, he said in an interview with the "Tiroler Tageszeitung". "The ÖVP may then no longer exist as it is. And does the domestic industry know what this means for the business location if the FPÖ provides the Chancellor?"
After the Meeting
Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), Andreas Babler (SPÖ), and Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) came together for "several hours of exchange," according to a joint statement in the afternoon. The budget was discussed again - the budget group had last convened over the weekend - as well as flagship projects of a possible three-party coalition.
"The goal of the party leaders is a comprehensive program that provides answers to the major concerns of Austrians and makes the country economically, budgetarily, and socially fit for the future," the parties shared. In the coming days, there should be further discussions "at all levels". The budget group meets on Tuesday "to continue working on the consolidation of the budget".
Mandatory Integration Year to Come
Meanwhile, there is said to be agreement between the parties on some issues. In addition to a seven-year budget consolidation, according to media reports, the migration sub-group has also agreed on the reintroduction of the mandatory integration year. This is to include, among other things, German and values courses for asylum seekers. According to "Standard", its completion is to become a prerequisite for a positive asylum decision.
On Monday, Sport Austria President Hans Niessl (SPÖ) expressed wishes to the negotiation teams: "If you invest in sport, you fight the crisis on the one hand and create the opportunity for Austrians to do more sport on the other." Therefore, sport should not be seen as a supplicant, but as a problem solver, says Niessl.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.