Government Program Approaching: It Could Be Ready by Thursday

The coalition negotiations of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS are apparently nearing completion. The government program is expected to be presented tomorrow, Thursday, as stated by negotiation circles on Wednesday. Until the last moment, the negotiators were still working on final adjustments. The personnel appointments for the ministries will only take place in the days following the program presentation, with discussions likely to occur mainly within the SPÖ.

Government program on Thursday, swearing-in on Monday?

The finalization of personnel decisions will not occur at the program presentation but only in the days thereafter. This is because all three parties still need to involve their committees with the nominations.

The upcoming Monday is still considered a possible swearing-in date for the new federal government - provided that the NEOS members approve a coalition agreement at their meeting on Sunday. The presidential office stated that no request for a specific swearing-in date has been received yet, but they are ready. The parties are likely aiming for Monday as the swearing-in date to avoid an inauguration on Shrove Tuesday due to its symbolism.

Justice, Schools, Asylum

On Wednesday, the parties were tight-lipped about negotiation details. However, some initial details leaked to the media: ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS are said to have agreed on a reform of the directive leadership in the judiciary. In prominent cases, for example, an independent body is to make the final decision. On Wednesday, the "Standard" also reported initial details in the education sector, such as the implementation of a mobile phone ban in schools and the promotion of all-day schools.

According to a report by "oe24.at," there are also supposed to be reforms in the asylum sector: A "complete suspension" of family reunification is to be examined (with the argument of overburdening the education and health systems). "Return centers" are to be established for asylum seekers whose applications have been definitively rejected. According to "Österreich," there are also discussions about tightening integration measures and making it easier to exclude asylum procedures (for example, in cases of asylum seekers with ties to terrorism).

The "Kleine Zeitung" reported online, among other things, that housing subsidies should be earmarked again. In the future, the states will not be able to use these funds for other purposes, but only for housing construction. Regarding the reduction of non-wage labor costs, the negotiators remained vague. As also reported by the "Standard," a reduction in contributions to the Family Burden Equalization Fund (Flaf) is aimed for from 2027. According to the "Standard," the AMS budget is to be increased.

Ministry distribution clarified

The question of the distribution of ministries between the parties has been clarified - with six departments each for ÖVP and SPÖ and two for the NEOS. The number of state secretaries is likely to be unusually high at seven. However, the allocation of government posts within the parties is still partially open. Most discussions seem to be taking place within the SPÖ, especially regarding the appointment of the finance department, where there is still a need for discussion.

Media reports initially stated that the SPÖ had settled on Vienna City Councillor Peter Hanke. However, Hanke pointed out in a conversation with the APA that no decisions had been made yet. It would be premature to speculate here. He himself feels very comfortable in Vienna, he emphasized. Later, according to other media reports, there was even a rejection, followed by a denial of the same. Previously, former ORF chief Alexander Wrabetz and Salzburg National Council member Michaela Schmidt had also been mentioned as potential candidates.

For the justice department, party leader Andreas Babler is likely to favor former State Secretary for Integration Muna Duzdar, but she is not considered a certainty and could also hold a state secretariat. It seems certain that SPÖ women's leader Eva Maria Holzleitner will take over the women's ministry and probably also the science agendas. ÖGB Vice President Korinna Schumann is likely to get the social and health ministry and will also take on labor agendas, with a state secretary likely to be appointed to assist her.

Babler will hold the position of Vice Chancellor in the government. It is still open which functions he will take on in addition. Recently, there was a rumor that he might not be considering culture, sports, and media as expected, but rather the powerful yet time-consuming infrastructure department. As an alternative to Babler, ÖBB manager Silvia Angelo, who comes from the ÖGB, was also considered recently - however, she declined to the APA. On Friday, the SPÖ board is expected to approve the personnel package of the Social Democrats.

Schellhorn confirms Wiederkehr as Minister of Education

With the NEOS, the government team seems to be set. Their member of parliament Josef Schellhorn confirmed to "ZIB1" that he is to become State Secretary for Deregulation. This is a "great task." After all, as an entrepreneur, he feels what bureaucracy and regulation mean. From his perspective, it is also certain that Vienna City Councillor for Education Christoph Wiederkehr is to become Minister of Education. Party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger is being considered as Foreign Minister.

Previously, former NEOS leader Matthias Strolz, who had publicly expressed his interest in the position of Minister of Education, publicly withdrew the same. The media had turned his publicly expressed interest into a "race," "which I hereby end," the Vorarlberger explained on Facebook. At the same time, he referred to Wiederkehr as the pink Minister of Education. He will "now find a successor solution for Vienna," said Strolz.

The picture is clearest so far with the ÖVP, where the current ministers are expected to remain in office for the departments of the interior, defense, and agriculture.

(APA/Red)

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