Vienna Greens Criticize City's Austerity Package

Services introduced under the former red-green government, such as the 365-euro annual ticket and support for children in poverty, would be "smashed with a red sledgehammer," according to the party leaders of the Vienna Greens, Judith Pühringer and Peter Kraus. Internationally recognized models would be "torn down" without hesitation.

Vienna Greens: "People are being abandoned"

A savings package is currently being put together at the Vienna City Hall. Details were already announced last week. For example, public transport ticket prices will increase next year. This includes the 365-euro annual ticket introduced in 2012, which will now cost 467 euros. For child welfare benefits, there will be a deduction applied to the housing allowance, which will thus be reduced. This affects those who already have little and are struggling with rising costs and inflation, Kraus complained. There is no social cushioning, for example, with the annual ticket. "People are simply being abandoned." Economically, the approach is also problematic, he was convinced. The affordable annual ticket had led to increased revenue for the Vienna public transport because many decided to purchase it after its introduction.

Now the opposite threatens, he warned. There is a risk that numerous customers will forgo an annual ticket and switch to single tickets. Additionally, the Green leader doubted the necessity of the measure. He reported that the Vienna public transport did not even claim subsidies amounting to more than 200 million euros last year. The cuts in support for children are also going in a completely wrong direction, assured Judith Pühringer. Child poverty would be exacerbated by this. It is extremely short-sighted. "The SPÖ is gradually losing its social conscience." Vienna was a pioneer with the public transport ticket and child welfare benefits, but now it is leading the way in leveling downwards.

Criticism of savings in districts

There was also criticism of the freezing of district budgets. For club leader Georg Prack, the approach is completely planless. Additionally, only red district chiefs were consulted. There was no dialogue with district leaders from other parties, the club chairman recounted.

"We will leave no stone unturned to defend social achievements," promised Kraus. He referred to the ongoing petition against the price increases for the annual ticket. He also announced a special municipal council meeting.

The Greens did not deny today that budget measures are necessary. However, they reminded that the deficit was also high in 2010. During the Green's participation in the government, they had reduced the public transport ticket price and increased the minimum security, yet still managed to consolidate the budget in the following years, it was explained.

FPÖ and ÖVP also criticize Vienna city government

The FPÖ also criticized the measures today, citing impacts on businesses, such as hotels. Vienna is planning to increase the local tax. The SPÖ under Mayor Michael Ludwig is ensuring that in the future, ten percent of the 430 Viennese hotel businesses will no longer exist, warned party leader Dominik Nepp at a press conference. "This will cause lasting damage to Viennese tourism." Vienna is now the "sad leader" in company and private insolvencies, he stated.

The ÖVP also expressed concern about the fee increases. Acting state party chairman Markus Figl and club chairman Harald Zierfuß demanded via a statement: "The city government must finally save on its own structures instead of further burdening the citizens." The additional burdens would affect all those who are already struggling with rising costs.

Vienna SPÖ defends against criticism from the Greens

"The Greens are apparently suffering from political amnesia and deny their own responsibility," responded SPÖ club chairman Josef Taucher via a statement to the accusations. They had driven Austrian state finances to the wall and left behind "an unprecedented national debt that the states and municipalities now have to deal with." According to Taucher, an inflation adjustment is needed so that public services can continue to function at this high level.

Protest against the fee increase of the Wiener Linien also came from the student representation. The Austrian National Union of Students (ÖH) and the student representations of several Viennese universities addressed an open letter to the Vienna city government, demanding the retention of the semester ticket for 75 euros. The elimination of the same and the associated additional costs of around 100 euros annually are a slap in the face for students, criticized ÖH chairwoman Selina Wienerroither in a statement.

(APA/Red)

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