Austria: First Results of Consultations Between FPÖ and ÖVP
An austerity plan has been agreed in principle. Freedom Party leader Herbert Kickl: “There will be no major tax increases such as VAT or fuel tax”
In Austria on Monday, January 13, the Freedom Party (FPÖ), which won the legislative elections with 29% of the vote, and the People’s Party (FPÖ), which came in second with 26.3% of the vote, continued political consultations aimed at forming a government coalition. “In the course of consultations, we will primarily focus on the state budget,” said acting ÖVP leader Christian Stocker.
During coalition talks to form a government in Austria, the two warring parties managed to agree on the need to “approve a new austerity plan” to avert the threat of European Union procedure for what they called “excessive state budget deficits.”
“During the coalition talks, a package of around €6.3 billion was agreed in principle. This basic agreement on the necessary debt reduction is important, the details are still being worked out,” said FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, emphasizing that “there will be no massive increase in taxes such as VAT or fuel tax.”
The launch of the consultation on Saturday, January 11, brought thousands of Austrians onto the streets to protest in Vienna, Innsbruck, Salzburg, and Graz. Police estimated that about 25,000 protesters gathered in front of the chancellery building in the Austrian capital and displayed placards and banners with inscriptions such as “We don’t want a right-wing Austria.”
