Pressure on the coalition: Christmas negotiations for a comeback for Austria

Pressure on the coalition: Christmas negotiations for a comeback for Austria

In a critical phase before Christmas, the coalition negotiations of the ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos are on the brink, while the tension increases noticeably after numerous conversations. On Friday, a first agreement was reached to consolidate the budget over seven years and the creation of a double budget for the years 2025/26. However, the concerns regarding a possible EU deficit procedure remain, the topic in need of clarification continues to hovers over the negotiations, such as reported.

The negotiators to achieve a result under which pressure strive to use the upcoming holidays for discussions. Tirol's ÖVP boss Anton Mattle and Lower Austria's Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner call for a rapid agreement until mid-January, so that no stubborn negotiations on the holidays should take place. In order to give the matter more structure, the "control group" was divided into a "budget group" and a "lighthouse group". The party leader, Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), Andreas Babler (SPÖ) and Beate Meinl-Reisinger (Neos), are actively involved here. The talks are to be continued on December 24th at the latest, such as oe24.at

urgent need for action

The need for clear solutions is more urgent than ever. Topics such as inheritance tax, ancillary wage costs and various economic projects are on the agenda, but the implementation remains unclear. While some party leaders demand "lighthouse projects" and "big throws", others, such as SPÖ media manager Gerhard Zeiler, do not think much of wealth taxes. Wealth taxes would not be enforceable in the current constellation, but the discussion about inheritance taxes remains on the table.

The negotiations are in full swing, but the uncertainty remains noticeable. On the one hand, the coming holiday leaves little space for solutions, on the other hand, the time is pushing the coalition talks quickly. The population and the party COMPARE are eagerly awaiting positive news in this troubled political landscape.