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Politicians' salaries under pressure: zero wage round demanded in the crisis!
Focus on politicians' salaries: FPÖ and Greens are calling for a zero wage round for 2025. Decision is imminent.
Politicians' salaries under pressure: zero wage round demanded in the crisis!
Amid the current political tensions in Austria, the question is whether politicians will receive more money from January 1st or not. The Freedom Party (FPÖ) around party leader Herbert Kickl is calling for a comprehensive zero wage round for all political salaries, including members of the state parliament. Kickl emphasized that this was a “sign of solidarity” with the population, especially in times of economic difficulties. This reports Today.
The turquoise-green coalition had previously announced such a zero wage round only for “top politicians”, including the Federal President, ministers and club chairmen. However, this regulation is to be expanded after the majority in the National Council changed as a result of the last elections. How The press reported, the Greens are now also demanding that the zero wage round also applies to members of the National Council and Federal Council as well as to state governors. Sigrid Maurer from the Greens described it as unacceptable that the states were not included in this regulation and criticized the fact that some state governors already earn more than ministers. Political negotiations are underway to find a solution by the next meeting.
Politicians' salaries under pressure
The issue is being strongly promoted by the FPÖ and NEOS, as they support a complete suspension of salary increases for all federal politicians. The coalition must now reach an agreement with other factions in order to limit the originally announced zero pay round not only to top politicians, but also to extend it to all political actors and top managers in public companies. The urgency to reduce salaries in the face of budget shortfalls is central to political agendas and continues to be hotly debated.
Kickl's initiative to introduce a zero wage round is not without resistance within the FPÖ, but he presents it as a necessary measure to narrow the gap between the population and the political elite. A decision on the extent of the planned salary policy is expected at the next National Council meeting at the latest, which will further heat up the political atmosphere.