Constructive talks between SPÖ and ÖVP: Vienna hopes for a quick agreement!

Constructive talks between SPÖ and ÖVP: Vienna hopes for a quick agreement!

The Mayor of Vienna, Michael Ludwig, is optimistic about the upcoming negotiations between the SPÖ and the ÖVP. At a meeting of the SPÖ committees, he said that constructive talks between the two parties could be held quickly because initial results had already been agreed. Ludwig emphasized that he would do everything in his power to create a functioning federal government in order to quickly meet the current challenges Vienna today reported.

But there are challenges ahead of the negotiations: The ÖVP is demanding changes to the SPÖ's negotiating team. Ludwig is critical of this, but appeals to the need not to conduct the discussions through the media. However, changes to the team have been announced. He particularly emphasized the role of Doris Bures, the third President of the National Council and a close confidant. If the unification process is successful, this would not only be crucial for Vienna's finances, but also for important projects such as the subway expansion, which depend on an agreement with the federal government. The city of Vienna expects a debt level of around 3.8 billion euros this year, which is related to the delays in forming a government the website of the SPÖ Vienna holds on.

Financial situation of the city of Vienna

The political situation is already having an impact on the finances of the city of Vienna. Delays in forming a new government could delay decisions on the budget and necessary reforms. While money from the financial equalization continues to flow every month, this amount is not enough to cover the city's financial needs. Karoline Mitterer, an expert in municipal finances, explains that due to inflation and falling income, a renegotiation with the federal government is unavoidable.