Government Work: Satisfaction with Turquoise and Red

The ÖVP has taken steps in areas that are particularly important to the population, said Secretary General Nico Marchetti at a press conference on Monday. These are inflation, health, and immigration. Meanwhile, SPÖ Federal Managing Director Klaus Seltenheim emphasized in a statement that the SPÖ has ensured reforms to make Austria fairer. NEOS Secretary General Douglas Hoyos called for more courage and concrete actions in a statement. The opposition criticized.

Marchetti expressed confidence that the steps taken will form the basis for an upswing next year. To combat inflation, for example, the so-called "Cheap Electricity Act" - "the largest electricity market reform in 20 years" - is intended to take effect. He also highlighted the reduction of the electricity tax and the continued efforts against the "Austria surcharge" at the EU level. To support companies, the investment allowance has been doubled.

"A very clear signature of the People's Party"

The family reunification has been "really effectively stopped." Marchetti also praised the deportations to Syria and Afghanistan, the monitoring of threats, the mandatory integration program "from day one," and the ban on children's headscarves - these are the "very clear signature of the People's Party" in the federal government. At the same time, in Christian-influenced Austria, its own traditions should be upheld and lived in schools, emphasized the Secretary General. This would include Christmas celebrations as well as the "cross in the classroom."

Regarding federalism, adjustments need to be made in the areas of health, energy, education, constitution, and administration. From the reform partnership between the federal government, states, and municipalities, the ÖVP expects "big moves and not just more of the same." Marchetti also expressed confidence in achieving the goals set by Chancellor and ÖVP leader Christian Stocker - two percent inflation and one percent economic growth next year, as well as "zero tolerance" towards the intolerant.

Already in the previous week, ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS had drawn a positive balance of the joint government work. Currently, given crises and global power shifts, it is not easy to create a positive mood in the country, said Marchetti. The ÖVP must provide orientation to the people. After all, it is aware that the country is facing a situation "where either the established and moderate forces of the center ensure reforms or the reforms may come differently, from more extreme political directions." Stocker plans to present the goals and projects for the coming year in a speech at the Vienna METAstadt on January 30 "as part of a political New Year's kickoff," announced the Secretary General.

"Engine for Red-White-Red Reforms"

The SPÖ is also satisfied with its own work. The Social Democrats are "the engine for red-white-red reforms for the benefit of the people," said Federal Managing Director Klaus Seltenheim in a press release. They would socially justly consolidate the budget, combat inflation, and invest in employment, health, and education. He highlighted the area of housing costs: In 2025, a rent price freeze was implemented, and in 2026, there will be a rent price cap for unregulated rents. Seltenheim is also pleased about the health reform fund, the heavy labor pension for caregivers, and the increase in the bank levy.

Loss for ÖVP and SPÖ

As already on the previous Friday, the FPÖ's reaction to the coalition's annual report was predictably sharp on Monday. Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz described the reports of SPÖ and ÖVP in a statement as "a list of failures." He particularly criticized that the government "has not achieved a single sustainable reform or noticeable relief for the people" and instead caused "exploding national debt," which is burdensome for the economic location and the population. The Greens referred to their criticism of the coalition parties' annual report already expressed on Friday: "This federal government is strong in announcing things, but shockingly weak when it comes to implementation," said Deputy Club Chairwoman Sigrid Maurer in a statement. She misses concrete support against inflation, and there are clear setbacks in climate protection.

Currently, ÖVP and SPÖ are facing low poll ratings. According to the APA election trend, which takes into account surveys from the past five weeks, the People's Party is at 18.9 percent, 7.4 percentage points below its result in the 2024 National Council election. The SPÖ has deteriorated by 3.2 percentage points to a current 18.0 percent.

(APA/Red)

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