The defense minister and the government are expected to present a bill for this this year. The National Council demands this in a resolution that was passed unanimously on Thursday.
Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) announced a timely amendment to the Army Fees Act in the committee on Monday. The increase in salaries has already been planned and budgeted for. The coalition parties negotiated this back in August, and the Greens are aiming for an increase to the level of the minimum income of 978 euros. The ÖVP had linked its approval to the green okay to the multi-year budget path for the federal army.
In an application, the FPÖ has also called for an increase to the level of minimum income or social assistance. This found no majority. Ultimately, agreement was reached on the motion for a resolution adopted on Thursday.
Currently, conscripts receive a monthly allowance of 238 euros, plus a basic salary of 124 euros. If they are on duty (for example at the border), there is an additional bonus. Civil servants receive a basic salary of 362 euros – and in addition often a meal allowance of up to 16 euros per day. The federal government pays part of the fee – how much depends on the facility.
Another resolution – initiated by the SPÖ and supported by the ÖVP, Greens and NEOS – concerns the renaming of the Windisch barracks in Klagenfurt. It envisages that the proposals of the Military Historical Monuments Commission will be presented by the end of the year and that a decision will be made with the involvement of the state of Carinthia and the city of Klagenfurt. The green exit Eva Blimlinger confirmed her suggestion that the barracks, named after the Knight’s Cross recipient Alois Windisch, should in future bear the name of Wehrmacht deserter Richard Wadani.
After a short debate about changing the rules of procedure for U-committees (based on an SPÖ motion), the October session of the National Council was over. The two plenary days were devoted to the 2023 budget. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) gave his first budget speech, and on Thursday the draft budget was discussed in the “first reading” – and was met with sharp criticism from the opposition. But there were also larger resolutions, including the abolition of “cold progression”, the pension increase, energy cost subsidies for companies and the electricity price brake for households.
Source: Nachrichten
