In a joint press conference today, Friday, SPÖ federal party leader Andreas Babler, the deputy. SPÖ club chairwoman Philip Kucher, SPÖ federal women’s chairwoman Eva-Maria Holzleitner and SPÖ social spokesman Josef Muchitsch commented on the NEOS’s exit from the government negotiations and reiterated that the SPÖ is still ready to take responsibility in order to lift up Austria and give the population a positive outlook To provide a vision for the future. “Our hand remains outstretched. In times of crisis, you have to stick together and pay attention to the big picture and social balance. It is now up to Karl Nehammer, who has been given the task of forming a government, to take up the SPÖ’s willingness and to negotiate on an equal footing,” said Babler, who made it clear that there is a “solidarity model with a contribution from everyone” for the necessary budget consolidation and future investments. need. Regarding the ÖVP, Babler emphasized: “It is also clear to us that we will not tolerate it if, as in 2000, there are parallel negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP. “I expect a clear answer from the ÖVP here,” said Babler. ****
Babler emphasized that there were still a few hurdles in the negotiations, but that they were close to the goal. But today the NEOS “quickly left the negotiations and put their party tactics ahead of the state’s interests,” said Babler. Although the SPÖ is not responsible for the difficult budget situation, which requires a joint effort and a certain amount of political courage, “we said: Austria is so important that we are prepared to take responsibility in order to get out of this difficult budget situation , and not only to consolidate, but also to be able to provide impulses.” But it is clear that all groups have to contribute something to this. Budget consolidation cannot be disproportionate, where “working people, pensioners, people employed in the public sector, such as teachers and police officers, contribute disproportionately through salary cuts and pension cuts, while others “, who have profited billions even in times of crisis, would like to once again shirk their responsibility,” explained Babler.
The SPÖ is also concerned with important offensive measures. There must be noticeable improvements in health care, and urgent measures are needed to make life and housing affordable again. Babler further emphasized that children have rights, especially when it comes to creating the most modern educational offerings and educational justice. It is also important for the SPÖ to create scope so that there are sustainable jobs and a modern location that can accomplish the transformation. In addition, there is a need for scope to invest in sustainable economic development, said Babler, who reiterated that “the budget must be restructured fairly, with broad shoulders bearing more”. The SPÖ is also prepared to take responsibility from a democratic policy perspective: “We don’t want to wake up to a gloomy blue-black future,” said Babler.
The deputy SPÖ club chairwoman Kucher emphasized: “As a social democracy, we said we were ready to fulfill our responsibility and wanted to find big solutions for big challenges together with three different parties. That means that all parties have to move.” Kucher regretted that no agreement was reached on the issue of budget restructuring. For the SPÖ, it remains a central condition that stronger shoulders have to carry more: “Solutions are possible if you want to work together and are prepared to jump over your own shadow. For us, it cannot be the case that there are only cuts at the expense of the broad masses, the pensioners, the people who built our country, who get up every day and go to work and keep our country running. Strong shoulders must contribute more to the common good. These are principles of social democracy. If there are better suggestions on how to create more justice, we are always ready to talk.”
SPÖ Federal Women’s Chairwoman Holzleitner emphasized that in negotiations it is important to take off blinders and approach each other. “It is always clear to us as a social democracy that we want to create prospects for employees in particular and do not want to unsettle them. What is needed are jobs and that people can go into the pension they deserve in good health.”
“It is a huge challenge to enter into coalition negotiations with the largest budget deficit in the Second Republic. But the SPÖ has taken on this responsibility,” emphasized SPÖ social spokesman Muchitsch, who affirmed: “The SPÖ was always ready to take on political responsibility for our Austria and we will continue to be available for this in the future.” (Conclusion) mb/ lw