Green Party Continues to Push for Rapid Energy Transition
In the National Council session on Wednesday, the party will also submit a corresponding motion, said Green Party leader Leonore Gewessler at a press conference on Tuesday. She called on the government to speed up the energy transition.
Greens Present Three-Point Plan for Energy Transition
The Greens already published their demands over the weekend. As a first step, Gewessler appealed to the state governors to advocate for lower prices with the state energy suppliers. The second point of the plan is a fund that should fairly finance and accelerate the expansion of the grid. Thirdly, the Greens want swift decisions for the energy transition. Economic Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) announced three completed energy laws by summer in the spring, but none are ready for decision, Gewessler once again accused the government of producing "headlines."
Pension Adjustment in the National Council in Focus
The pension adjustment for 2026 is to be decided in the National Council session on Thursday. This time, inflation will only be fully compensated for pensions up to 2,500 euros. To include all special pensions, a two-thirds majority is necessary. According to Gewessler, a fair contribution from luxury pensions is missing. However, she expressed confidence that a good solution will be reached, as discussions are ongoing.
FPÖ's Broadside
The FPÖ also launched a broadside against the government before the National Council meeting, sharply criticizing, among other things, the pension adjustment and the tip allowance. Hafenecker spoke in his press conference on Tuesday, which was also referred to as a "general reckoning" in the FPÖ press release, of "two raids" by the ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS coalition, which is already "in hibernation." Firstly, the government would commit an "attack on the elderly and on pensions," because "the government refuses the full inflation adjustment from 2,500 euros gross," said Hafenecker.
He particularly criticized SPÖ leader and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler, who had declared before the election that there would be no pension cuts with him. "That was simply a lie," said the FPÖ General Secretary. "This is a pure class struggle against the top performers."
The second "raid" concerns the tip allowance, according to Hafenecker, who spoke of a "tax on diligence and recognition." "Tips are not income, but a gesture of appreciation" - and here the government wants to "participate." "This is a new burden for around 260,000 employees in the gastronomy and hotel industry - and that with already low wages," said Hafenecker. "The shamelessness knows no bounds," was his verdict. With the Freedom Party, there is no such thing: "We demand: 100 percent tax exemption on tips."
Hafenecker attested "incompetence" to the governing parties, as "due to internal blockades" the Finance Committee could not meet. For example, the increase in the investment allowance would be excluded from political discussion within the framework of parliamentary operations, according to Hafenecker's criticism, who also highlighted a blue motion for a Sharia ban. This is intended to ensure that the Islamic legal system cannot be applied in Austria under any circumstances, not even on the basis of an agreement or a club statute.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.