The tenor was that it was the largest package of reforms in decades, and now we had to start implementing it together. The opposition was extremely dissatisfied with this. There is nothing but announcements, nothing has been set in terms of budget and law.
Green club chairwoman Sigrid Maurer was almost euphoric. “The term milestone is appropriate,” she said. A big step is taken to actually improve the situation of caregivers, mostly women. She reminded that not only the federal government could act here: “Dear countries, there are no more excuses.” Now we have to work together to implement it.
The social partners are now also on the train, emphasized ÖVP club boss August Wöginger. You take one billion euros in hand in the next few years, 520 million euros of which flow into salaries, now you have to agree on the distribution. He also highlighted the nursing teaching pilot project. The package is important and shows the social handwriting of the government, he was convinced.
Health and Social Affairs Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) reported positive feedback on the reform project. Many would have told him that they no longer believed in the reform and now saw it as a sign of appreciation. Rauch also saw “proof of how the government works,” as he said: “It works. The care package is striking proof of that.”
The opposition’s assessment was completely different. Josef Muchitsch (SPÖ) located nothing more than another entry in the “story of your failure in the care reform”. Nothing has happened in the care sector since the ÖVP appointed the Chancellor. In addition, the presentation on the “Day of Care” in the previous week only happened because the SPÖ put so much pressure on it.
Dagmar Belakowitsch (FPÖ) also identified an “accumulation of headlines” that would lead to renewed disappointment among the population. Funding is not guaranteed and what will happen after 2024 is completely open. Fiona Fiedler (NEOS) expressed a similar assessment. The whole industry was mocked, she was annoyed.
Source: Nachrichten
