This is what the government thinks of its work in recent months

Quite favorably, the government leaders took stock of their activities for the first half of the year on Monday - although strictly speaking, they are in the middle of the year, but have only been in office for four months, said Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) to journalists. The approved double budget and the initiated reform partnership with states and municipalities were highlighted. Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) gave the government a good rating, even an excellent in conduct.

Overall, the balance sheet can be shown, said Stocker. They are mainly pulling together and understand the coalition as a partnership. "Everyone should have their priorities and be able to implement their projects." They have shown "that we can work together and that we also want to work together".

Stocker: "FPÖ can't do many things"

So everyone was allowed to outline their priorities: Stocker focused on the budget and the likely upcoming EU deficit procedure, which they would have liked to avoid. "But the numbers didn't allow it." Therefore, they will now handle it professionally - it is also not the first time that Austria has had to face such a procedure. Regarding the reform partnership with states and municipalities, the office managers will discuss the first contents over the summer.

Poor poll results do not impress Stocker for the time being. Elections are not due until 2029. And regarding the Blues, who are leading in the polls, he said: "The FPÖ can't do many things - but it has become a collection point for dissatisfaction. Some feel that their dissatisfaction is addressed there." However, the government's goal is for the polls to be accurate when the actual elections take place.

Rampage occurred during ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS government

Babler, in turn, listed the "strictest gun law reform since this gun law has existed". This shows that they can also respond to current challenges such as the tragic rampage in a Graz school. In addition, they have expanded the prevention programs. He also highlighted SPÖ topics such as the higher bank levy, intervention in rental prices, or partial retirement.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) praised the sustainability mechanism in pensions as well as the introduction of orientation classes in schools, 4,000 new training places for elementary education, and the increase in school psychology. The government also has a common foundation of values, she emphasized - namely a European one. In addition, there is a clear stance on the Ukraine issue.

Meinl-Reisinger: "Much Still Lies Ahead of Us"

However, there is still much to do, Meinl-Reisinger pointed out the pending structural reforms. Semantically, she also had a problem with the term "balance sheet": "This is not a balance sheet, this is a summary." Because: "Much still lies ahead of us."

Less favorably, the federal spokesperson of the Greens, Leonore Gewessler, assessed the government's work: "After four months in office, the government clearly shows where the journey is going: Instead of a new beginning, there is dismantling, instead of responsibility, there is a forgetfulness of the future." It remains a "policy of missed opportunities and deliberate setbacks," she stated in a written statement.

FPÖ Gives Government a "Straight Fail"

A "straight fail" was attested by the FPÖ to the "loser traffic light" and spoke of a "balance sheet of failure and collapse." In just a few months, the federal government has "drawn a trail of destruction and decline through our homeland," said the Freedom Party Secretary General Christian Hafenecker, referring to the difficult economic situation, "burden packages," the unrestrained "border storm by illegal asylum immigrants," and the expected EU deficit procedure.

(APA/Red)

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