Chancellor Stocker Promises Additional Energy Aid in the Millions

Government leader Christian Stocker (ÖVP) returned to the Federal Chancellery on Wednesday after his back surgery and immediately made a relief announcement. As he stated in a press conference, energy costs are to be reduced by another 500 million euros in the coming year. The money for this is to come from federal holdings and will not burden the budget. In the health sector, control, planning, and financing are to come from a single source in the future.

Stocker Wants Further Energy Cost Relief of 500 Million

The exact source of the funds for the energy cost reduction is to be announced in December. These 500 million plus the 500 million that are to come from the "Cheaper Electricity Act" would bring around one billion in relief for citizens and companies, Stocker explained. At the same time, he called on the opposition to provide the necessary constitutional majority in the National Council in December for the "Cheaper Electricity Act" - an amendment to the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG).

Stability Pact Before Resolution

Another announcement from Stocker: The Stability Pact, which regulates the borrowing capacity of public authorities, is to be decided as early as next Friday. The government wants to send the signal that it can find solutions together with states, municipalities, and also social insurance.

In the healthcare sector, management, planning, and financing should be handled from a single source in the future - there is an agreement with the states on this. Some would see the federal government being responsible for this as the best option, according to the Chancellor, who also showed openness to other proposals. The steering group will focus intensively on this on December 9th. It is ultimately important that patients get an appointment with a doctor more quickly and do not have to wait unreasonably long for an operation.

Abolish 100 Regulations

Deregulation and reducing bureaucracy are also on the government's agenda. Stocker announced plans to initiate the abolition of 100 regulations and directives at the Council of Ministers next week. This is just a first step, with more to follow. Surveys currently show weak ratings for the black-red-pink government. However, it is capable of acting and willing to make decisions, and it has understood what the population expects from it, Stocker declared.

The ÖVP chairman led the Council of Ministers for the first time in the morning since his back surgery. The Chancellor had been working from home since the procedure and was represented by his State Secretary Alexander Pröll (ÖVP) and Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ). On Wednesday, Stocker emphasized that he is now fit again: "I am as pain-free as I haven't been all year before the operation." The not entirely uncomplicated procedure due to a stenosis went as planned.

FPÖ General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz criticized Stocker's press conference as an "empty PR show." "He failed to provide concrete implementation steps or the financing for all his areas," criticized the National Council member. One-time payments, which Schnedlitz assumes, would not change the high electricity prices in the long term. "Anyone who really wants to achieve sustainable success here must tackle the causes - keyword 'Green Deal', keyword CO2 pricing, as well as permanently lowering taxes."

(APA/Red)

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