Government Program: Social Partners and NGOs with Mixed Reactions

The government program of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS meets with a mixed response from the social partners. Industry representatives from the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) mostly reacted positively to the program presented on Thursday. Trade Union Federation President Wolfgang Katzian (SPÖ) sees an important "step in the right direction" made. The Chamber of Labor (AK) is cautious but recognizes "light and shadow" in the program presented on Thursday.

"Step in the Right Direction", "Light and Shadow"

"There are incentives for high performers, more freedom for entrepreneurship, and relief with prudence," said Renate Scheichelbauer-Schuster, chairwoman of the trade and crafts division in the WKÖ, for example. The Young Economy and tourism representatives of the WKÖ also praised the program. The bank levy was viewed critically.

On the trade union side, the red ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian sees an important "step in the right direction" made. "The planned economic stimulus package will create jobs, providing the security that employees and companies need now," he says in a statement from the Trade Union Federation.

The Chamber of Labor is more cautious. The announcements on the "bank levy and the extension of the excess profit tax for energy suppliers" are viewed positively. AK experts will analyze the approximately 200-page document in the coming days. AK President Renate Anderl again advocated for a millionaire's tax not provided for in the government plan.

The production union (PRO-GE) also welcomes the agreement reached and highlighted the fight against inflation. The GPA union is pleased about more money for the Public Employment Service AMS. "The fight against unemployment must be a focus of politics in the coming years. The government program is encouraging in this regard," said GPA Chairwoman Barbara Teiber.

"This economic program is a clear signal for the small and medium-sized enterprises in our country," said the Secretary General of the ÖVP Economic Association, Kurt Egger, in a statement. With the government program, "high performers are relieved."

"Positive Trends" and "Drawbacks" Identified

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) sees "initial positive trends." "Unfortunately, the measures in the area of energy and ancillary wage costs remain vague so far. Further specification will be needed in the course," said IV President Georg Knill.

For Retail Association Managing Director Rainer Will, the document reads "promising." Will hopes for a rapid implementation of the plans. "A drawback is the long dry spell until 2027 for ancillary wage costs due to lack of budget leeway." According to the program, these should be reduced by the middle of the government period.

"Many Positions, Little Change," summarizes Agenda Austria Director, Franz Schellhorn, the program with little praise. The economist is the brother of the future State Secretary for Deregulation, Josef Schellhorn (NEOS). "The SPÖ generously refrains from new taxes, in return, ÖVP and NEOS spare the bloated state apparatus from long-overdue cuts. A deal that plays into the hands of the parties but does not help the country," judges the director of the economically liberal think tank.

Appeals and Criticism After Presentation of Government Program

After the presentation of the government program by ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, various organizations have addressed the future federal government with criticism and appeals. Especially in the area of care and support, organizations like Volkshilfe and the Samaritan Association demand clarity and future viability. Caritas identifies uncertainties in the financing of coalition projects.

Caritas Secretary General Anna Parr expressed "relief" over the formation of the federal government in a statement. In the area of care and support, there is a fundamental understanding of the challenges; there are also positive signals in the areas of poverty reduction, migration and integration, and international cooperation. "Currently, it remains open how the long-term financing of all these measures will be ensured," said Parr. The suspension of family reunification was criticized by the Vienna Caritas Director Klaus Schwertner. "Family reunifications have a proven integration-promoting effect," explained Schwertner. From his perspective, this project is hardly feasible legally.

Erich Fenninger, Director of Volkshilfe, also expressed his pleasure in a statement about the formation of the government and the agreement on a basic child security. In the area of care and support, more details and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders are needed, demanded Fenninger. It also remains to be seen whether there will be improvements in changes to social assistance, vulnerable groups must "not fall by the wayside," explained Fenninger.

With an "urgent appeal," Samaritan Association Federal Manager Reinhard Hundsmüller addressed the future government in a statement. "Austria can no longer afford stagnation," he says. A government is needed that tackles pressing issues. Austria must be made future-proof, for example, by building up care, strengthening disaster relief, and expanding powers in the rescue services.

The Austrian Health and Nursing Association (ÖGKV) appealed in a statement to quickly implement the formulated measures. "Care and the entire health system are facing major challenges," says ÖGKV President Elisabeth Potzmann.

Christoph Pinter, head of the UN Refugee Agency, views the temporary halt to family reunification critically: "The constant worry about children, mother, or father makes it much harder to focus on learning German or finding a job." The strengthening of integration measures for refugees must not be diluted by restrictions in other areas, said Pinter. "Placing human rights at the center of politics" demanded Shoura Hashemi, Managing Director of Amnesty International Austria in a statement. The suspension of family reunification is viewed very critically, as it violates human rights.

Senior Council Criticizes

The presidents of the Senior Council, Peter Kostelka and Ingrid Korosec, described the planned KV contribution increases for pensioners as "unsocial" in a statement. The increase of nearly 20 percent means a "strong piece."

SOS Children's Villages Managing Director, Christian Moser, positively assessed the "extensive measures" of the government to curb child poverty. He was less pleased in a statement about the education sector: "A progressive child rights approach is largely missing here," said Moser.

The Council of Carinthian Slovenes welcomed in a statement the mention of the autochthonous minorities in Austria. Although brief, the important thing is the implementation of the promises, especially in the field of education, where the minority has suffered the greatest damage in the past.

Municipal Association President Johannes Pressl welcomed the formation of the coalition. "On the part of the municipalities, we are ready for urgently needed reform projects in our country," Pressl explained. Once the ministries are filled, the Municipal Association will seek dialogue with the members of the federal government. Many municipalities are financially backed into a corner, Pressl reminded.

Joy at the House of History

The "Art and Culture" chapter of the government program was received with satisfaction on Thursday afternoon at the House of History Austria (hdgö), which is to be run as an independent federal museum in the future. "I am pleased that for the new federal government, the future of the House of History Austria and the future design of Heldenplatz are important topics," hdgö Director Monika Sommer said in response to an APA inquiry.

Sommer already has a concrete idea: "The Second Republic should give itself a widely visible and permanent symbol of liberal democracy on the 'Hitler Balcony' for its 80th birthday this year. Because the previous handling of this symbolically highly sensitive place in Austrian contemporary history is more than outdated. We have taken the initiative here and have already taken a step forward: From April 22, we will present artistic proposals on this at the House of History Austria."

Almost euphoric reactions came from the IG Authors. Even if the budget and personnel are still open, "it is the most ambitious art and culture program of a government in many years," said Managing Director Gerhard Ruiss via statement. "What gives particular cause for joy and confidence is that this government's program stands on and by the side of art and culture."

Planned Media Projects "Very Positive"

Predominantly optimistic reactions also came from the media sector regarding the program. The Association of Austrian Newspapers (VÖZ) described the planned media projects as "very positive" in a statement. "In particular, the clear commitment to expanding media funding is welcomed," VÖZ President Maximilian Dasch was quoted as saying. "This supports Austrian media in the sustainable development of their digital engagements and also ensures the nationwide delivery of newspapers and magazines." Furthermore, the effort to increase media literacy among young people was highlighted. Understandable but painful, however, is the announced reduction in advertising spending.

The IG Free Theater Work showed a waiting stance, demanding from the future government to legally secure the budgets for the independent scene - comparable to the budgets for federal cultural institutions. "Should there be cuts in art and culture, it will primarily affect the independent scene," as it is not secured by index adjustments, as stated in a statement. "Budget cuts in this often precariously working area cannot be accepted, the new officials must commit to the financial security of independent art and culture creation and all the people working there!"

"The program shows that the coalition partners are fully aware of the challenges faced by those working in the cultural sector on a daily basis," said Yvonne Gimpel, Managing Director of IG Culture Austria, with delight. However, IG Culture is less enthusiastic about the "lack of commitment to the financial security of independent art and culture, while, for example, the multi-year value security of federal institutions is anchored." Many of the listed projects are subject to an implicit budget reservation.

(APA/Red)

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