FPÖ Lower Austria: "Are the Engine in This Coalition"

Lower Austria's FPÖ club chairman Reinhard Teufel sees his party in the third year of the working agreement with the ÖVP at the state level as the "engine in this coalition". "We have not only arrived in the state government, we are setting the direction here and also setting corresponding priorities," said the Freedom Party member at a press conference in St. Pölten, summarizing the year. The observatory for political Islam is expected to start its work before Easter 2026.

Corona, Islam and Double Budget

Among the points implemented this year, Teufel mentioned at the press conference the implementation of the action plan against political Islam, the Corona evaluation report, and the tightening of social assistance. Added to this were the Health Plan 2040+, the Deregulation Act, as well as the decision for a zero-wage round in politics at the state and municipal level for 2026.

A "significant topic" for the coming year is the creation of the double budget for 2027/28. In addition, the observatory for political Islam, which is to be networked with state bodies, is to be established. There should also be a close connection "with federal agencies and other relevant institutions". The establishment was outlined as a contact point for teachers, parents, kindergarten staff, and municipalities, with an annual report announced. Currently, there are still "negotiations with the ÖVP" regarding the observatory, Teufel admitted. The position is intended to show "how a creeping Islamization" is occurring in this country. Interviews are to be conducted, new studies commissioned, and existing ones consolidated, the FPÖ club chairman looked ahead. Proposals to politics should result from this.

Criticism Towards the Federal Government

Teufel criticized the federal government. There has been no economic growth for years, which naturally also affects states and municipalities. "This government will dissolve," predicted the club chairman, with early elections as a consequence.

Similar to Burgenland, the FPÖ could take the path to the Constitutional Court regarding the Electricity Market Act. "We are already in contact with law firms here," Teufel emphasized. The distribution of network costs is not fair. However, this was already requested from the federal government by application last February, recalled the FPÖ club chairman.

"The new Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) was passed with a two-thirds majority in parliament. We do not know of any concrete proposal from the FPÖ," said a statement from the ÖVP Lower Austria's parliamentary club. "Our expectation is clear: Energy prices must decrease for the compatriots. The ElWG should contribute to this, as should the other measures of the federal government: The result counts."

(APA/Red)

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