Vienna on the upswing: SPÖ and NEOS reveal new coalition plans!

Vienna on the upswing: SPÖ and NEOS reveal new coalition plans!

On Tuesday, the SPÖ and NEOS presented their new coalition pact for the future Vienna city government. SPÖ Mayor Michael Ludwig and NEOS Vice Mayor Bettina Emmerling presented the results of intensive negotiations, which, however, still require the approval of the party committees. The final composition of the city government will only be announced after the votes, with the SPÖ making its decision on Wednesday and the NEOS on Saturday. The coalition is now called the “Recovery Coalition,” a change from the previously used term “Progress Coalition.”

The objectives of the new coalition cover a variety of issues. Particular emphasis is placed on the areas of economy, education, climate protection and social issues, which should experience an upswing. In view of the prevailing budget situation, the coalition is planning structural reforms and the evaluation of funding. Particular attention is paid to municipal holdings that are expected to pay out higher dividends.

Investments and reforms

Despite the current austerity measures, the coalition has firmly planned investments in infrastructure. Vienna should be positioned as a leading location for digitalization and cutting-edge technology. Planned measures include the expansion of the AI ​​Life Science Center, the promotion of artificial intelligence and machine learning and the establishment of a competence center for cyber security. Vienna is also actively applying for an “AI Gigafactory”.

A central topic in the negotiations is the reform of Vienna's minimum income, which is intended to particularly benefit families with children and shared apartments. This happens in a context in which, according to finance spokesman Manfred Juraczka, 66 percent of minimum security recipients in Vienna are foreigners. ÖVP leader Karl Mahrer criticizes the city government and calls for social benefits to be adjusted to those of other federal states in order to reduce spending and promote growth in the labor market instead of in the social system.

Education and integration

Another focus is on the education sector. The attendance requirement for children who need language support should be increased from 20 to 30 hours, while at the same time lateral entry into kindergartens should be made easier for other professional groups. In addition, the development of a “Vienna Integration Code” was announced, which is intended to contribute to the integration of migrants.

In traffic planning, the coalition wants to carry out measures to unbundle walking and cycling traffic and examine test routes for autonomous driving. Taking bicycles on trams and buses is also on the agenda. In order to promote climate protection and quality of life in the city, the coalition plans to plant 20,000 trees and redesign the ring road.

The SPÖ and NEOS will have 53 out of 100 mandates in the local council. The date on which the new local council will be constituted has not yet been determined, but is expected after Pentecost. The opposition, especially the Vienna People's Party, is critical of the city's financial issues and the high social spending that does not meet its high standards. Mahrer would like to see changes to make the city financially sustainable.

For further details on the measures presented and the current situation in Vienna, visit vienna.at, heute.at and orf.at.