Vienna in upheaval: SPÖ and NEOS start a discounted downward program!

Vienna in upheaval: SPÖ and NEOS start a discounted downward program!

Wien, Österreich - On June 10, 2025, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) and the NEOS in the Vienna City Hall announced the formation of a new coalition, which is referred to as the "downward coalition". This cooperation was consolidated by Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) and Vice Mayor Bettina Emmerling (Neos) to ensure a stable city government after the election in April 2025. However, the new government program, which includes 191 pages, offers the reason for criticism, since it misses numerous problems too beautiful and concrete solutions, as [ots://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250610_ots0071/zierfussgreco-spoe- and-nos-bildskaertskoalition-fuer-wien) reports.

The program, which was presented on June 3, 2025, bears the title "upswing coalition" and aims at dealing with central challenges such as minimum security, the budget and the field of education. Critics complain that reforms are only evaluated and concrete implementation strategies are missing. Furthermore, a suspicious approach is denounced in economic policy that does not take any opportunities for the Vienna location.

challenges and reform needs

The criticism is particularly aimed at the shortage of skilled workers, health and business locations and the support of one-person companies. The Vienna city government is perceived as innovative, and a strong, critical and constructive opposition power is announced on the part of the People's Party. To improve the situation, specific solutions are required.

The evaluation of all funding is a central point in the government program. The coalition has the intention of creating more sustainability through structural reforms and consolidation of the budget situation. At the same time, urban participations are to be dropped and synergies are to be sought in comparable areas of responsibility, as can be read on the page of [the press] (https://www.diepresse.com/19755025/ring-ummes-und-integration codex-coalition program-von-spoe- and-in-in-wien).

investments and future visions

Vienna is to be made future fit through investments in digitization, artificial intelligence and the expansion of the Life Science Center. Planned measures include the creation of 400,000 square meters of new green spaces, the expansion of the bike paths and the redesign of the ring road for the unbundling of foot and bike traffic. The program is also the focus of the program.

In the education sector, a mandatory kindergarten visit of 30 hours a week is sought for children with increased language support. In addition, the transition for specialists in elementary pedagogy is to be facilitated and language support in kindergarten is to be expanded in order to reduce the number of extraordinary students. Measures to combat child and youth crime and to support families are also reported on the agenda, such as [wien.gv.at] (https://www.wien.gv.at/kontakt/praesentation- government program)

The new coalition is therefore required to develop visions and measures in order to meet the current challenges of Vienna and to offer long -term solutions. The constituent meeting of the new municipal council also falls on June 10, 2025, which means a symbolic starting signal for the implementation of the program.