Municipal Reforms: NEOS Adopted Policy Paper

The document, titled "Republic of the Best Municipalities - A State That Works for the People," was reportedly adopted unanimously, according to a press release. The Pink Party wants open decision-making processes regarding future structures, voluntary mergers, and administrative consolidations. Other key points are digitalization and a focus on core tasks.

"With this, we have set the starting point for sustainable structural reforms in the municipal sector," said Deputy Party Chairwoman Claudia Gamon. However, for a real reform, it must become a joint project. "This requires the government, state governors, members of parliament, and of course, the mayors from all parties to come to the table." The nearly 300 NEOS municipal councilors across Austria are a "strong lever" for developments from the grassroots level, according to Gamon.

Municipal structures should not be a "monument of past times," the policy paper states. Instead, they must be openly questioned, discussed, and further developed. According to NEOS, a modern state should be service-oriented, meaning "efficient, citizen-friendly, and forward-looking." Austria has too many, too small municipalities, and this should change. And this should happen in a "participatory, transparent reform process." Ultimately, this could save costs and improve services.

NEOS have identified four specific goals

To this end, NEOS have identified four specific goals. Citizens, experts, and stakeholders should work together to develop solutions. "Openly, scientifically, and professionally accompanied." The Liberals want to specifically promote voluntary mergers and cooperation through financial equalization. Digital administrative processes, barrier-free platforms, and automated processes should improve procedures in the municipalities. Furthermore, the public sector must focus on its central tasks, also due to budget constraints.

Municipalities should "become more efficient together, rather than going bankrupt alone," said Gamon. She wished for incentives for stronger cooperation. However, before concrete negotiations, citizens must be involved, demanded the Vorarlberg state spokesperson: "People on the ground usually know best how positive change can succeed and what support they need from the federal and state governments." To this end, there will be discussion formats throughout Austria starting immediately.

Open to a corresponding discussion was Municipal Association President Johannes Pressl (ÖVP): In the Ö1 "Midday Journal," he stated that this "could certainly be a topic for discussion," "we are not closing ourselves off to it at all." However, the mergers must be voluntary. ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti expressed caution: There is "no initiative from our side." He does not believe that mergers are the most important thing; rather, many synergies can also be found within the structures, said Marchetti. SPÖ's municipal spokesperson Wolfgang Kocevar echoed this sentiment, preferring cooperation over fusion. Many municipalities are already working together across borders, he explained to Ö1.

(APA/Red)

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