Turquoise-Blue Savings Plans: Heated Discussion in National Council Meeting
The SPÖ demanded in the "Current Hour" it had requested, information from Finance Minister Gunther Mayr about the consolidation plans submitted to the EU Commission and accused the FPÖ and ÖVP of a "smokescreen operation". Mayr, as well as the FPÖ and ÖVP, defended the planned measures.
SPÖ club chairman Andreas Babler accused the FPÖ and ÖVP of dishonesty regarding the planned austerity measures. The National Council had not been informed about the "cutback fantasies" of the turquoise-blue coalition negotiators. The Austrians have a right to know who will ultimately have to cross-finance this large budget hole, which was caused by the turquoise-green government, said Babler.
Heated Debate Over Turquoise-Blue Austerity Plans at National Council Session
Much of the debate was taken up by the coming to terms with the past of the broken three-party coalition negotiations. Babler used his speech for a renewed settlement with the ÖVP, which he accused of dishonesty. Only during the course of the negotiations did the extent of the budget disaster become apparent. Contrary to what the SPÖ demanded, not everyone would now contribute to budget consolidation because a "clique of industrialists and the banking sector" within the ÖVP had prevailed, who now did not have to contribute anything, Babler criticized.
Mayr rejected the accusation of a lack of transparency on the part of the Ministry of Finance. Since mid-December, the figures for the consolidation requirement have been on the table. The finance minister also defended the measures announced by the coalition negotiators to save a total of 6.4 billion euros by 2025. The EU Commission also recognized that it was a package that was gentle on the economy with a focus on the expenditure side, he reported. About 50 percent would be saved through cuts in subsidies, where Austria is currently significantly above the EU average. Only 14 percent would come in through tax loopholes, which is important given the high tax rate in Austria.
It was important that an EU deficit procedure could be averted, "it's about Austria's reputation," Mayr emphasized. He accused the SPÖ leader of preferring a deficit procedure due to the softer consolidation path, standing alone within the EU.
Fuchs: FPÖ Must Clear Up Budget Policy Shambles
Hubert Fuchs, who had co-negotiated the austerity plans for the FPÖ, once again praised that the blue-turquoise negotiators had achieved in three days what the negotiators of the failed three-party coalition had failed to do in months. "We Freedom Party did not cause this budget policy shambles," but now have to clear it up, said Fuchs. If it had not been possible to avert the impending EU deficit procedure, "foreign control and patronization by Brussels", a worse rating and an immense burden wave for the population would have threatened.
ÖVP club chairman August Wöginger accused Babler of dishonesty and unfairness. Many in the ÖVP had put their whole heart into the three-party coalition negotiations. However, the negotiations failed due to the group around Babler within the SPÖ. The fact that the deficit procedure could be averted within a few days is also thanks to the preparatory work in the turquoise-red-pink coalition negotiations.
Gewessler Defends Budget Deficit Left Behind
There was also a lack of understanding from the NEOS about Babler's descriptions of the tripartite coalition negotiations. Deputy club chairman Nikolaus Scherak asked Babler, "In which parallel negotiations have you been sitting in for the past three months?" According to Scherak, the SPÖ had shown no willingness for structural reforms. He appealed to the current coalition negotiators from FPÖ and ÖVP not only to save expenses with the lawnmower, but also to implement structural reforms.
Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) once again defended the budget deficit left behind by the outgoing turquoise-green government. In view of the Corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine and inflation, it was right to help. And as after every crisis, the budget now had to be consolidated, Gewessler criticized, however, that savings should now be made primarily in the climate sector. "The abolition of the climate bonus is nothing more than a tax increase through the back door," she accused her previous coalition partner of breaking election promises.
At the beginning of the session, two new National Council members were sworn in. Johanna Jachs (ÖVP) took over the mandate resigned by former Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). The Styrian Albert Royer (FPÖ) succeeded Hannes Amesbauer, who had moved to the Styrian state government.
Schallenberg Wants to Handle Transition Calmly
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) gave a statement to the National Council on Wednesday as interim head of the government. He announced that he would continue to conduct official business "with a steady hand and ensure an orderly transition". For the future government, he called the rule of law, separation of powers, human and minority rights, free media and a clear commitment to the EU "non-negotiable".
Schallenberg, who was Federal Chancellor for about two months in 2021, made it clear at the beginning of his statement that he had not aimed for the new position: "I never expected, nor did I strive, to stand before you again as head of government." The fact that he is making a statement about this, even though the government no longer has a majority and probably won't last much longer, is a custom. There was high praise for his predecessor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). Schallenberg honored his passion, straightforwardness and integrity.
Clear Commitment to the EU
The fact that he had taken over his first trip in office to Brussels, the head of government described as symbolic. Because there he made it clear that Austria internationally remains "of course a reliable and stable partner". A pro-European, multilateral orientation of Austria is vital in such challenging, volatile times of geopolitical upheavals. But he also demanded respect and regard for the democratic processes in Austria.
But respect must also exist within the country's borders: "Austria is not a conflict democracy, but a compromise democracy." Schallenberg made a passionate plea for art and culture: "Especially when it comes to being defensive and defending our way of life, one thing is inseparable for me: The clear commitment to art and culture and their freedom as an essential form of social dialogue."
Finally, the head of government advocated for optimism despite challenging times: "So let's have confidence in our own strengths and our potential, and a little more faith in what we stand for and who we are."
Schallenberg, like his predecessor Nehammer, accepted such statements from the SPÖ, but not from the People's Party as a whole. The deputy club chairman Philip Kucher suspected that parts of the ÖVP had already conducted parallel negotiations with the FPÖ and then sacrificed their own party leader for power, influence and client interests.
ÖVP chairman Christian Stocker vehemently denied this. He would have "very much liked to bring the negotiations to a positive conclusion". But this was not possible with SP leader Andreas Babler. Because with class struggle, the challenges of the 21st century cannot be overcome.
NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger was on the same line. The SPÖ is practicing "retro-socialism", which is "simply not capable of governing". She accused the ÖVP of having presented false figures before the election and towards the FPÖ she said: "I have the feeling that they don't want to get into bed with the ÖVP but want the ÖVP as a doormat."
Green federal spokesman Werner Kogler criticized ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS for not having brought the joint negotiations to a positive conclusion. But: "It's never too late for a turnaround." The three parties should sit down together again and try again.
This would not be in the interest of the FPÖ, which is aiming for the chancellor's office in a coalition with the ÖVP. Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz also said that the three-way negotiations would have brought additional charges to the Austrians and incidentally also ruined the location. Co-Secretary General Christian Hafenecker amused himself about the "group therapy" of the three parties.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.