Government negotiations: ÖVP and SPÖ in a tax fan!

Government negotiations: ÖVP and SPÖ in a tax fan!

In the heated negotiations on government formation in Austria, the parties ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS are faced with a decisive phase. By December 12th, all subgroups are said to have completed their work and create clarity about the common successes and the existing disagreements. This requires the close cooperation between the party leader Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), Andreas Babler (SPÖ) and Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS), who are strongly involved in these negotiations in addition to the presidents of ÖGB and Chamber of Commerce, such as Kleine Zeitung reported.

A central topic in these discussions is the business chapter, which is considered the largest bone of contestation. In particular, the question of tax policy divides the parties distant. While the ÖVP does not want to introduce new taxes, the Social Democrats are calling for income -sided measures to consolidate the budget. In his characteristic direct way, Chancellor Nehammer made it clear that further discussions could end quickly without compromise: "If the SPÖ insist, the negotiations are quickly over," says his definitive announcement on X. according to Press The negotiators are initially caught in a kind of "dubbing phase" in which points of view are exchanged, but no significant progress has been made.

economy and taxes in focus

Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer from the ÖVP sees the tax area as crucial for the continued existence of a possible coalition: "The result of the group one decides on being or not the government," he said soberingly. There are different progress within the four subgroups that deal with topics such as taxes, location and energy. A positive cooperation is particularly evident in the constitutional cluster, while there are acute disagreements in the field of economy that could possibly block the entire process. Observers emphasize that it is crucial where the chemistry between the negotiators is right so that progress can be made.

The negotiations are therefore not only a test for the political maturity of those involved, but also for their ability to work constructively together in an increasingly polarized political climate. The next few days will show whether it can succeed in forming a coalitionable agreement from the bleak divergent positions.