Viennese City Council Before Constituent Meeting

A new period begins at the Vienna City Hall next Tuesday: Following the Vienna election in April, the City Council and State Parliament will be constituted. The agenda includes, among other things, the election of the members of the City Senate, the swearing-in of the city councilors, and the government declaration by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ). As in 2020, he has once again forged a coalition with the NEOS - who still need to approve the pact.

43 Seats in the Vienna City Parliament for SPÖ

However, it is considered almost impossible that the NEOS members will reject the agreement at their assembly tomorrow, Saturday. Therefore, nothing is expected to change in the planned proceedings on Tuesday. The session begins at 9:00 AM. First, the 100 deputies will be sworn in. The SPÖ will have 43 seats in the city parliament (minus 3), the FPÖ 22 (plus 14), the Greens 15 (minus 1), the NEOS 10 (plus 2), and the ÖVP also 10 (minus 12).

Subsequently, the elections of the mayor and the deputy mayors will take place. The two deputy positions will continue to be held by Kathrin Gaal (SPÖ) and Bettina Emmerling (NEOS). The city councilors will also be elected. There is a peculiarity in Vienna: According to the city constitution, all parties represented in the City Council are entitled to government posts "in proportion to their strength," but not all of these positions come with a portfolio responsibility.

Novak to Become City Councilor for Finance and Economy

The opposition only has "non-executive" city councillors. This results in a specific procedure: First, the members of the city senate, i.e., all city councillors, are elected. Those from the two governing parties are also entrusted with an office in a further vote - thus becoming executive city councillors. There is only one new addition here: Barbara Novak (SPÖ) will become the City Councillor for Finance and Economy. The mayor's explanation is then followed by a debate.

There is no question time or current hour at the inaugural meeting. However, this time a program item that is usually obligatory at the first meeting is omitted: The brief visit of the Governor of Vienna to the Hofburg for the swearing-in by the Federal President. This will be made up at a later date, the mayor's office informed the APA upon request.

New Legislative Period Also for Vienna State Parliament

Ludwig is both mayor and governor, as Vienna is both a municipality and a federal state. This also means that not only one inaugural meeting takes place on Tuesday, but two. The state parliament is also starting its new legislative period. This occurs after the city council meeting or the city council is interrupted for a state parliament if it does not end by 5:00 p.m.

The state parliament session will be chaired for the first time by Christian Meidlinger. The red city councillor and trade unionist succeeds Ernst Woller as state parliament president, who has retired.

(APA/Red)

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