Government formation: Austria’s new coalition stands for hard migration course

The new three-person coalition in Austria wants to lead the country out of the crisis with a joint effort. The approximately 200-page work program of conservative ÖVP, Social Democratic SPÖ and liberal Neos provides for measures that strengthen the location, consolidate the budget, make living more affordable and, last but not least, combat irregular migration.

It was possible to provide the well-being of the country about the party interests, said the ÖVP boss and future Chancellor Christian Stocker. “Behind us are the most difficult government negotiations in our country’s history.”

But there is still one hurdle: the members of the NEOs have to agree to the alliance with a two-thirds majority. That should happen on Sunday. She was “very confident” that there will be the green light, said Neos boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger.

With the new alliance, the election winner ends up in autumn 2024, the right FPÖ, on the opposition bank. The attempt by right -wing populists with the ÖVP had failed a coalition a few weeks ago, among other things, because of foreign policy differences.

The program is also a signal to FPÖ voters

With the planned measures in asylum and integration policy, the three middle parties send strong signals to the supporters of the FPÖ. Among other things, girls up to the age of 14 should no longer be allowed to wear a headscarf. A mandatory integration program is introduced for refugees, which will start immediately after arrival. “If you want to live with us permanently, you also have to internalize our values,” said Stocker. Rejected asylum seekers will in future be accommodated in their own return process centers. Against the background of the latest Islamist terrorist attacks, the middle parties want to campaign for stronger regulation of radical content on online platforms such as TikTOK.

Program provides for interventions for rental prices

SPÖ boss Andreas Babler said that he was happy and proud of the government pact, “not only because this cohesion of the constructive forces Herbert Kickl as a chancellor and the right-wing extremist FPÖ in the most important institutions from our country prevents”. He was happy about the compromises to combat the recession, the budget deficit and the inflation crisis, said the future Vice Chancellor. Banks, energy providers and real estate industry should contribute to budget renovation.

In addition, rental prices for part of the housing market should be frozen for one year and in principle only increased moderately in the medium term. In Austria, rental price increases are linked to inflation, which had recently led to enormous increases.

Alliance remains on EU course

The alliance is clearly committed to the EU and the support of Ukraine. “Austria’s action will continue to be shaped by cooperation and solidarity within the European Union,” says the government program. The commitment is a counterpoint to the EU-skeptical views of the right FPÖ, which was about to put the Chancellor with Herbert Kickl.

In contrast to the FPÖ, the new coalition also represents the EU course at Ukraine aid. According to the government program, the country will use a Ukraine coordinator. At the same time, the three-way alliance made it clear that the neutrality of the Alpine Republic could not be shaken. Austria is not a NATO member and his support for Ukraine is limited to humanitarian aid.

The list of ministers will be presented in the coming days. On Friday, the party committees of ÖVP and SPÖ will be advised on the alliance. This is considered a matter of form.

However, the SPÖ recently became known to the SPÖ -internal disputes about the staffing of the Ministry of Finance assigned to it. One of the traded names is the Vienna Council of Finance Peter Hanke. The 60 -year -old is considered competent and pragmatic – and at the same time as an inner party opponent of party leader Babler. The coordination of the NEOS is then eagerly awaited on Sunday.