Praise, Criticism, and Open Questions for the Government Program of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS

The Chamber of Labor sees both light and shadow in the government program in an initial analysis, but emphasizes that central issues are often only superficially addressed.

Government Program: Chamber of Labor Praises Improvements in Rent

The AMS received praise from Chamber of Labor President Renate Anderl for its good resources, while she remains skeptical about the restriction of additional earnings to unemployment benefits in light of high unemployment and poverty risk. In terms of rent, Anderl sees improvements (such as the limitation of rent increases and the minimum contract term of five years), but rent gouging is still possible. In the education sector, the Chamber of Labor sees good measures (such as the long-demanded opportunity index for schools with special challenges), but too little money is allocated for this. Regarding the strengthening of women's economic independence, the program is too unclear, and the Chamber of Labor would have also liked more measures in climate and environmental policy.

Open Questions in the Government Program on Psychotherapy for Youth

The Austrian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy (ÖGKJP) identified "forward-looking and commendable approaches" in some areas, such as measures for better combating child abuse and - albeit subject to budget constraints - an expansion of therapy offerings to "strengthen psychosocial care, especially for children and adolescents," as well as more health services in schools. However, clear statements on the expansion of child and adolescent psychiatric services or insurance-funded psychotherapy for all children and adolescents in need are missing.

Pharmacists' Chamber Assesses Government Program Positively

In the Chamber of Pharmacists, there was joy expressed via a release about the government's plans for more prevention and health literacy, better patient management through the introduction of health guides, and more telemedicine and prevention services. Here, the more than 7,000 pharmacists would like to contribute as the most accessible first point of contact in the healthcare system, according to President Ulrike Mursch-Edlmayr. The program was also largely positively received by Praevenire, a platform for optimizing solidarity-based healthcare. They were particularly satisfied with the planned measures for digital health, prevention, and patient-centered care. A "future task" remains the reorganization of financial flows and the competence issues between the federal government, states, and social insurance.

Government Program: Equal Treatment Advocacy Demands More Money

The Equal Treatment Advocacy was pleased with the commitment to further develop the equal treatment offices as provided in the EU standard. However, more resources and personnel are needed to preventively combat discrimination. Legal rights for equal treatment offices could also make a decisive contribution here. Furthermore, a uniform equal treatment law is still missing, so that, for example, a lesbian woman is protected from discrimination not only in the workplace but also when looking for housing. The Disability Association also saw many central concerns addressed in an initial analysis (plans for nationwide personal assistance, a one-stop-shop for medical aids and subsidies, strengthening inclusive education, evaluation of labor market integration). However, specific improvements in care allowance are still missing.

The umbrella organization for homeless assistance (BAWO) sees many commendable measures for affordable housing, especially the commitment to the Housing First program launched by the Ministry of Social Affairs in October 2024 (independent living for homeless people), price-dampening measures on rental prices, and the extension of the minimum term of rental contracts to five years. However, BAWO is concerned about possible cuts in social assistance, which could lead to evictions and homelessness.

AI Advisory Board and ISPA Satisfied with Government Program

Praise for the government program came from the AI Advisory Board, an expert panel set up to advise the government. The Black-Red-Pink coalition is setting the right accents through clear framework conditions, targeted promotion, and strengthening of the location. "The conditions are favorable, it is important to seize the opportunities available at all levels," urged Chairman Horst Bischof for rapid implementation. The ISPA, the umbrella organization of the Austrian internet industry, also sees the right accents. It is important to reduce bureaucratic hurdles to make the founding and growth of new companies and infrastructure expansion more effective, efficient, and transparent. This does not even cost the state anything, "a win-win situation in times of tight finances," said Secretary General Stefan Ebenberger. ISPA still sees open questions in the security area, where there must always be solutions that comply with fundamental rights.

(APA/Red)

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