The FPÖ and ÖVP today presented their roadmap for rehabilitating the ailing budget. In addition to the cancellation of the climate bonus, the savings plans also include the abolition of educational leave and the abolition of the additional earnings limit for recipients of unemployment benefit and emergency assistance. For the SPÖ Vorarlberg, these measures mean massive cuts at the expense of the general population. Club chairman Mario Leiter says: “Even before the inauguration, the FPÖ and ÖVP are breaking their central election promise that there will be no new taxes under Blue-Black. Exactly the opposite is now the case: canceling the climate bonus is nothing more than a tax increase through the back door. A tax increase that affects everyone in Austria.”
Tax increase through the back door
While corporate tax for companies remains low, the FPÖ and ÖVP are now collecting the higher CO2 taxes from employees, criticizes Mario Leiter: “Blue-Black are putting a backwards tax package on the table that shows no serious interest in a sustainable one economic location, still wants to provide relief for the people in the country.”
This anti-social attitude of the FPÖ and ÖVP is also clearly evident in the decision to remove the additional earnings limit for those receiving unemployment benefit and emergency assistance, according to the SPÖ club chairman: “Blue-Black prefers to continue to take from those who are already under enormous financial pressure. than to demand a solidarity contribution from companies that have been making billions in profits for years.”
At the beginning of the budget discussion, the FPÖ and ÖVP warned that everyone in the country had to do their part, says Leiter: “But Blue-Black apparently see themselves as a reverse Robin Hood. Instead of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, the weakest in society continue to feel the impact of the savings, while issues such as the bank levy are avoided.”
Criticism of the end of educational leave
The SPÖ club chairman also takes a hard line with the announcement that he will abolish educational leave: “The end of educational leave is a direct attack on further training and equal opportunities. At a time when lifelong learning is more important than ever, this closes the door to a better future for many.” For women in particular, educational leave is an important opportunity to continue their professional development and thus advance professionally, emphasizes Leiter: ” There is definitely a need for reform in the current model of educational leave. But the end of this further training opportunity is an ill-advised hasty decision.”
Driving license as a cost issue
For Vorarlberg, the valorization of driving license fees will also be an issue, says Leiter: “This will cost a lot of young people in the country dearly.” Because in Vorarlberg, acquiring a driving license is already by far the most expensive, emphasizes Mario Leiter. “If the federal fees are now increased, many young adults will no longer be able to afford a driving license.” This would take away the freedom of choice, especially for young people from low-income households, said the SPÖ club chairman.
The political foretaste that Blue-Black has provided in the last few days is a prime example of how to leave people in need alone, sabotage climate protection and destroy opportunities for personal and social development, explains Mario Leiter in conclusion: “That is not the future Austria deserves it.”