Coalition Talks Could Collapse Today
The coalition negotiators came together on Friday at noon for potentially decisive talks. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler spoke of a "very decisive day" before the start of the steering group meeting. "We hope that things will finally move forward," he said, referring to open-ended discussions. "There are still some political issues to be clarified," said NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger. ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer expected "intensive negotiations".
Budget Issues to Be Resolved in Open-Ended Meeting
The pink chief negotiator spoke of two central areas where progress must be made in the coalition negotiations between ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS, which have been ongoing for more than four weeks: the budget for the next two years with structural reforms and those "fields where we want to move forward as a trio". Regarding a possible collapse of the coalition negotiations, which had not been ruled out in advance, she said: "We negotiate to move forward, not to get out."
Negotiations on the major contentious points are expected to continue as long as necessary, possibly into the night, on Friday. The sticking point continues to be the path to budget consolidation. Even a collapse of the government negotiations in the three-party format, should no compromises on budget issues be found in the steering group, had not been ruled out in advance.
"Candy Coalition" Threatens to Fail
The SPÖ is pushing for the budget to be balanced on the revenue side as well, and for the wealthy to contribute more. The economic wing of the ÖVP, which is overly critical of cooperation with the SPÖ anyway, and the NEOS, on the other hand, reject tax measures. There is also still no agreement on the timeframe for budget consolidation, and whether it should be done independently or as part of an EU procedure. The ÖVP and NEOS would prefer to handle the whole thing independently without the involvement of the Union. The SPÖ, on the other hand, argues that the option of a deficit procedure would bring a gentler start to savings, especially at the beginning. The NEOS are also pushing for an agreement on the outstanding flagship projects.
Doskozil Would Not Be Averse to New Elections
The situation was made no easier for his party on Friday by the Burgenland SPÖ Governor Hans Peter Doskozil. In an interview with "Presse" (online), he said he could live well with a new election. "I have to be honest: I wouldn't mind that at all given the status quo we have reached." A new election would also be the best option to "settle the score" with the ÖVP's asylum policy. According to Doskozil, the coalition of ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS is not "set in stone".
Schönborn Wants Debt Crisis Solution as Christmas Gift
An appeal to all parties as well as social partners, youth and pensioners came on Friday from Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. In his column in the newspaper "Heute", Schönborn expressed the Christmas wish for a "united front, a round table at which all the supporting forces of our country sit down" to find a solution together in view of the "alarming state deficit". "I wish for a joint will of all to solve the debt crisis! That would be a Christmas gift for Austria."
(APA/Red)
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