New social program required: Caritas warns of austerity policy!

New social program required: Caritas warns of austerity policy!

Wien, Österreich - Vienna/Cologne, 08/08/2025 (Cape)-In view of the upcoming government formation under the leadership of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), the President of Caritas Austria, Nora Tödtling-Musenbichler, calls for a clear focus on social issues. In a conversation with the Cologne radio station domradio.de she emphasized how the new federal government is immediately concerned with the current challenges, hoping and confidence give. "Without a sustainable welfare state, we cannot afford to reject. Fast and sustainable reforms are urgently needed," she said. Priorities have to be set in particular in the health and education sector, emphasized Tödtling-Musenbichler.

"We already see that we have urgently need for action in the care and the health sector. Also in education, rapid measures must be taken," continued the Caritas President. She warns of savings packages that could burden the poorest of society and appeals to the future government of paying attention to basic human rights and the principles of the Geneva Refugee Convention. "We have to make sure that no more in need of protection is left behind," she urges. In the current political situation, too, Caritas is ready to work constructively and find solutions, as she noted, "We are a solution.

challenges under new leadership

Nora Tödtling Musenbichler also sees the economic situation in Austria and Europe as well as international crises as an urgent reasons why the upcoming government has to act quickly. With regard to the possible government under Herbert Kickl - the head of the FPÖ, who is considered a populist politician - she expressed concerns: "We have to work together to work together that there is no political agenda that only serves populist goals." It appealed to the new government to take a role model in society so that social cohesion is strengthened and all people focus on.