"Do the Right Thing Now. For Austria": This is the Government Program of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS

The party leaders of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS have already presented their joint government program to Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in a personal meeting. The Federal President wants to "carefully examine" the program, it was communicated. Additionally, the party leaders have informed the Federal President about the final steps of government formation.

ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS Rely on Austrian Virtue for Agreement

Stocker stated in a press conference that perhaps the most difficult government formation in history is now complete: "This agreement was only achieved through a deeply Austrian principle: 'People come together by talking'." While others shirked responsibility, ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS established consensus and demonstrated the ability to act. It is now not about right and left but about Red-White-Red and nine million people. Babler said they are now doing the right thing together: "Making compromises is an old Austrian virtue." They are balancing the budget: "This gives us room to invest." Meinl-Reisinger called the pursuit of consensus or the balance of different values "what can really move us forward." Unsettled times needed state political responsibility.

Headscarf Ban, Bank Levy, Mandatory Kindergarten Year in ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS Government Program

The future Chancellor highlighted the asylum and integration area in his statement. Stocker emphasized, for instance, that asylum applications would not be accepted if necessary. A headscarf ban for girls will be constitutionally compliant. Babler was pleased that banks, energy providers, and the real estate sector would have to contribute to budget consolidation through levies. He also appreciated that rent prices would be frozen for one year and would only rise moderately in the coming years. Meinl-Reisinger mentioned the enhancement of elementary education with a second mandatory kindergarten year as particularly important for the NEOS. Budget-wise, the next two years would be tough. But structural issues could be addressed right now. There will be measures in the pension system through a sustainability mode. She also appreciated the new directive leadership in the judiciary. In the more than 200-page program titled "Do the Right Thing Now. For Austria," "consensus and pragmatism" is emphasized, on which the agreement is based. The greatest progress for Austria has always arisen from "consensus, cooperation, and confidence." The failed negotiations between ÖVP and FPÖ are also referenced: "While others refuse this cooperation and shirk their responsibility, we establish consensus and the ability to act." Now it is not about party-political interests, but "about all of us, about Austria, about nine million people in our country."

ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS Plan Sharp Measures in Asylum Area

Sharp measures are announced in the asylum area. Family reunification is to be "immediately" stopped at least temporarily, and a headscarf ban for underage minors (up to the completion of the 14th year of life) is targeted. Measures in tenancy law are also included in the program, such as increasing the minimum duration of fixed-term rental contracts to five years. The plan for the federal army will be maintained, as well as participation in Sky Shield. The ORF fee will not be increased until 2029. In childcare facilities, a healthy snack will be provided free of charge. Women's hygiene and contraceptive products will be exempt from VAT. According to the draft, innovations are also planned in the area of poverty and social affairs. Child poverty is to be countered with a "basic child security" and halved by 2030. The previous social assistance is to become a "New Social Assistance," with a uniform daily rate based on the equalization supplement reference rate. The social assistance created in 2019 under the black-blue coalition instead of the minimum security set maximum limits instead of the minimum standards valid until then.

Deficit Procedure to be Prevented by ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS Government

The budget is to be consolidated as announced along the EU fiscal rules, with the goal of preventing a deficit procedure. In view of the "current economic challenges," the new federal government plans to consolidate the budget over the next seven years. A double budget and a new federal financial framework are also to be quickly adopted. The plans foresee, as already announced, a package of measures for the year 2025 of more than 6.3 billion euros and for the year 2026 of 8.7 billion euros. The upcoming Monday is still considered a possible swearing-in date for the new federal government. The prerequisite for this is that the party committees give the green light for the coalition pact. The NEOS have to overcome the biggest intra-party hurdle, as a membership meeting on Sunday ultimately decides for the Pinks. A two-thirds majority is required for the acceptance of the coalition agreement.

Stocker Defends Large Cabinet of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS

The unusual size of the new government was defended by all three party leaders. It is not the first time in the Second Republic that there are so many government members, Stocker stated. Furthermore, the scope of political responsibilities has expanded with topics such as climate protection and integration. "Departments must also be manageable," Babler said in response to the criticism of an overly large government team. Meinl-Reisinger also stated: "We are taking steps here that are significant and also a major effort." Unanimity in the Council of Ministers is to be achieved again by appointing specific government coordinators. Who will take on this role for each party was not disclosed, just like the ministerial posts. Stocker expressed confidence that progress will be made even in the first three-party coalition. Internationally, such constellations are quite common - and also in the federal states. New is that for the first time in a coalition pact, the parties' rights to propose candidates for important positions have been established - for Stocker and Meinl-Reisinger, an expression of transparency.

Measures Without Budget Reservations "Unrealistic"

The future coalition partners also defended the fact that many of the measures mentioned in the government program are subject to budget reservations. Stocker argued that it is unknown how developments will unfold in the coming years. Therefore, it would be unrealistic to say that everything can truly be implemented. Babler and Meinl-Reisinger also agreed with this reasoning and spoke of a responsible approach.

Government Formation Longer Than Ever

It has never taken so long after a national election for a new government to take office. From the election on September 29 to the likely swearing-in date next Monday, 155 days have passed. The duration of the government formation was thus more than twice as long as the average of the past 23 national elections. The previous record duration between election day and inauguration from 1962 was also exceeded by almost four weeks.

On average, government formation from election day to swearing-in after national elections since 1945 has taken 62.4 days. Excluding the five single-party governments, the average duration of government formation was 70.2 days. This time span was already surpassed on December 9. With more than five months, during which coalition negotiations failed twice, the formation of the three-party coalition is likely to go down in history as the most complicated government formation in the Second Republic. The previous record duration of 129 days was surpassed on February 5. That was how long it took to form the last grand coalition before the phase of single-party governments after the national election on November 18, 1962.

Third place for the longest government formations is now held by the first black-blue coalition, which was formed after the 1999 national election. Twenty-five years ago, it took a total of 124 days for the government under Wolfgang Schüssel (ÖVP) to take office after the failure of months-long negotiations between SPÖ and ÖVP. Five years ago, it took 100 days after the election for the turquoise-green government to be sworn in.

(APA/Red)

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