Schultz will restore trust in the WKÖ

On Thursday, the Economic Parliament in Vienna convened with representatives of the Economic Chamber (WKÖ) for the first time since the uproar over compensations and salaries and the resignation of President Harald Mahrer (ÖVP). His interim successor, the acting Vice President Martha Schultz, made her first public appearance and delivered a speech - she wants reforms, as the WKÖ's image is "damaged." A motion for reforms from all factions was also on the agenda.

Schultz Wants "No Revolution, But a Reform"

"Starting today, we are opening a new chapter in the Economic Chamber," announced Schultz, who referred to her entrepreneurial activities in Tyrol, according to the speech text. "No revolution, but a reform." And further: "We will have to change a lot if we want to regain credibility and trust. Among our members in the companies, in politics, and among the public."

Despite "good work in the past," there is "no reason for complacency," said Schultz. "Our image in the public is damaged. We are portrayed as a bloated bureaucracy with too many officials, with too generous incomes and too little efficiency. We need to correct this image because it does not do us justice in this severity."

In this context, the interim head - as a permanent appointment for the chairperson of the ÖVP Economic Association and the WKÖ is yet to be found and is not in sight for now - also highlighted the services of the WKÖ for its mandatory members, which are good and important. Schultz also emphasized successful lobbying efforts such as the reduction of the corporate tax to 23 percent, among other points like the exemption from the NOVA for light commercial vehicles or the acceleration of major procedures.

Social Partnership: Schultz Defends Mandatory Membership

Regarding the social partnership, which also received some attention due to the WKÖ crisis, Schultz said that the Economic Chamber is "the core piece." "We feel responsible for cohesion and balancing interests. We have a key role in the functioning of our democratic basic consensus." Companies ensure prosperity in the country. Therefore, ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian recognized Schultz as a "committed social partner," congratulated her on her - albeit interim - role, and looked forward to the social partnership collaboration.

She defended the mandatory membership. To those who wanted to undermine it, she had the following message: "I fight for our independence and against state interference in our agendas. Only when all companies contribute are we strong. Let's not be irritated by party polemics, our line is objectivity and reason within the framework of social partnership." This was not least a message to FPÖ and NEOS, who are against mandatory membership.

Solutions for the Economy: Reducing Bureaucracy Instead of New Taxes

The domestic economy is at a crucial point, Schultz quoted the German economist Marcel Fratzscher. To seize the opportunities, decisive action is needed now. "That's why we need more punch, more courage, and bigger thinking in the government." It is not enough to work through the government program as conflict-free as possible if the framework conditions do not improve. It demands bigger solutions for the big issues. For the urgently needed economic upswing, investment incentives and a reduction in bureaucracy are needed, but not new tax ideas.

Important for an image change, Schultz - for example, in front of guest of honor Christoph Leitl - also took the WKÖ to task on the topic of upswing. "The Chamber of Commerce wants and must play a decisive role in reversing the trend towards a dynamic economic upswing. It is up to us to make the positive messages that put us in a mood of optimism clearly audible again: about the innovations taking place in our companies, the successes of our companies abroad, the achievements of our apprentices."

"Starting with Ourselves"

"That's why we have to start with ourselves," said the interim head of the Chamber of Commerce. And the chamber is taking on this task. The first step was taken by suspending the increase in functional allowances - initially until the result of an external audit. In addition, employees will really only receive 2.1 percent more money in 2026. A new model will be developed for the 2027 salary negotiations. And for the WKÖ in Vienna's Wieden district, the new path means: "We will question whether everything that was ever 'invented' is still necessary. We will look at where things can be done faster and where they can be done with less bureaucracy. We will scrutinize the structures with the aim of becoming more modern, efficient, and cost-effective. The financial leeway we create here will be passed on to our members."

Also, in the direction of the nine other regional chambers, Schultz said: "The same applies to all areas of duplication and multiple tracks." The reform steps will also be guided by the results of the announced Court of Auditors review, which, as reported, is set to begin in December.

Reform Group Established

The reform package that all WKÖ factions wanted to pass on Thursday "we will push through," said Schultz. Like her predecessor Mahrer, she also wants to "tell what we really achieve for our members." This has not always been clearly communicated to all 590,000 member companies.

According to the proposal from all factions, which is available to the APA, a reform group is to be established. As reported, this group is to develop a task and offer reform, a structure/organization reform, an electoral reform, a transparency initiative, and a financing reform, and regularly consult with the extended WKÖ presidency. An interim report is announced for the first half of 2026.

Reform Group "On Equal Footing"

The smaller factions demanded from the ÖVP Economic Association that the reform group must truly discuss on equal footing and about practically everything - although not realistically about mandatory membership. They are ready but also critical, according to the general sentiment. In the Economic Parliament, there is also the Industry List, the Freedom Party (FW), Social Democrats (SWV), Greens, and NEOS (UNOS) with their respective list names for the Chamber of Commerce.

Various Urgent Motions Under Criticism

The Freedom Party (FW), despite the joint proposal, did not fully believe in the reform and submitted an urgent motion against mandatory membership. Only without such a membership could reforms occur. UNOS (NEOS) and Greens also submitted an urgent motion: the Chamber Levy 2 should be abolished to relieve companies.

However, the ÖVP Economic Association governs absolutely in the Economic Association. Like them, the SWV (SPÖ) saw no urgency. The urgent motions also received criticism in that there is a joint all-party proposal that should not be undermined in advance, as a representative of the Economic Association stated in essence. The motions were to be addressed before Schultz had the opportunity to speak.

(APA/Red)

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