Lower Austria: Half of Government Pact Completed

Lower Austria's Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) and her deputy Udo Landbauer (FPÖ) gave a positive interim report on Tuesday about the cooperation in the state government so far. Although half of the legislative period has not yet been reached, more than half of the agreed projects have already been completed, Mikl-Leitner said at a press conference. Landbauer highlighted a "real system change in asylum and migration policy."

Mikl-Leitner sees "good years for Lower Austria"

"The last two years and two months since the presentation of the working agreement have been good years for Lower Austria," said the state leader: "We can prove the critics from back then wrong." In the proportional state government, 97 percent of the approximately 2,400 resolutions were passed unanimously - that is, with the votes of the People's Party, the Freedom Party, and the SPÖ. In the state parliament, there were over 500 resolutions. 50 percent were unanimous, and in 80 percent, at least one other party voted alongside the ÖVP and FPÖ.

The drive is to "create the best future for our children," emphasized the governor, who highlighted seven "milestones" as the basis for this - from the "Health Plan 2040+" to the fight against radical Islam. The goal of the currently ongoing "largest task review ever in Lower Austria" is to create the most efficient state administration in Austria.

"First federal state to apply asylum brake"

Lower Austria was "the first federal state to apply the asylum brake," emphasized Landbauer. By switching to the benefits card for asylum seekers, the "misuse of tax money" was stopped. Basic services in Lower Austria "are not a magnet for abuse." German language skills are a prerequisite, for example, for the "New Education Promotion" and housing subsidies, the deputy state leader further noted. Regarding the Corona aid fund, the policy is responsible for "ensuring justice and also making amends for injustice."

At the beginning of the black-blue coalition in March 2023, Landbauer stated that it was "not a love marriage." The focus is on work, and the cooperation is "constructive and solution-oriented," said the Freedom Party member on Tuesday when asked. ÖVP state party leader Mikl-Leitner spoke of a "fair partnership," and the cooperation is working well.

SPÖ accuses black-blue of stagnation

"Self-praise is not enough problem-solving," responded SPÖ state party chairman State Councilor Sven Hergovich in a statement. "Anyone who stands up today and glosses over everything is either closing their eyes to reality or deliberately trying to distract - from social cuts and complete inaction in combating unemployment," he said. "The worst thing is: The coalition has no plan for the future issues of our country," said Hergovich, accusing black-blue of stagnation. The SPÖ is ready to "work together on innovative programs."

(APA/Red)

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