"While burdens such as the bank levy or the energy crisis contribution are concretely anchored, there are only declarations of intent for the urgently needed reliefs," said the president of the Federation of Austrian Industries, Georg Knill, in a statement.

Federation of Austrian Industries Wants "Structural Reforms in the Federal System and the Pension System"

The new federal government must implement "concrete measures for growth and competitiveness," demand the interest representatives with a view to the coalition agreement. The Federation of Austrian Industries is critical that a reduction in non-wage labor costs has only been announced for 2027. There is also a lack of "structural reforms in the federal system and the pension system" as well as a reduction of the "high tax and levy rate." However, it is welcomed that the research quota is to rise to four percent of economic output by 2030 and that procedures for infrastructure projects are to be accelerated. Knill also positively highlighted a planned "contact point for debureaucratization." "While burdens such as the bank levy or the energy crisis contribution are concretely anchored, there are only declarations of intent for the urgently needed reliefs," said the Federation of Austrian Industries president. The government program is to be understood as a work program. "Many important points will have to be developed together along the way," said Knill.

Federation of Austrian Industries President Knill Wants to Measure Government Members by Their Actions

His disappointment after the breakdown of negotiations between ÖVP and FPÖ a few weeks ago was due to the fact that "a lot of time was lost," said Federation of Austrian Industries President Georg Knill on Tuesday in Vienna. The interim status of the ÖVP-FPÖ negotiations had "shown quite attractive framework conditions" for the location. But that is hypothetical, and it is unclear what would have come out in the end. "I regret nothing at all, but I am very glad that it has now worked out." When asked about SPÖ Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer, who is attributed to the left wing of his party, the Federation of Austrian Industries president said that every government member has "a corresponding past." What is important is how the government approaches the challenges as a team. "We will measure all the acting persons by the actions they take in the interest of this location (industrial location Austria; note)," said Knill.

Federation of Austrian Industries: National Response to US Tariffs Possible

An impending trade war with the USA will have "significant impacts" on Austria, said Federation of Austrian Industries Secretary General Christoph Neumayer. It is the case that the "new US administration places special emphasis on making agreements." Ideally, this should happen at the EU level. "We demand this because otherwise, we have no choice but to find a bilateral response," said Neumayer. "I would prefer not to speculate, but believe me, there are possibilities that can be found, at least concerning specific industrial sectors, up to companies, etc."

(APA/Red)

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