"With heart and brain"

SPÖ program: Babler wants a new start for Austria

At the presentation, SPÖ party leader Andreas Babler spoke of an "important program for the future".

(Bild: APA Pool/APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

The SPÖ has now also presented its election program. It comprises 116 pages, the content of which has been broken up by interviews with experts. Party leader Andreas Babler spoke of an "important program for the future". The SPÖ wants respect for work and performance, a new start for Austria and cohesion instead of division. 

The Social Democrats' election program is not without controversy.

In August, an internal email from the Second President of the National Council, Doris Bures, who is also Vienna's top candidate for the National Council elections, was made public. In it, she criticized the proposals for the red election program.

Excerpts from the SPÖ election program presented on Wednesday:

• Wealth and inheritance tax on net assets of one million euros or more (with the exception of owner-occupied homes)
• Increase in corporation tax to 25 percent
• Suspension of rent increases until 2026 (maximum increase of 2% thereafter)
• Interest rate cap of three percent for "house builder loans"
• Employment guarantee for the long-term unemployed
• Increase in the net replacement rate for unemployment benefit to 70%
• Test run of the four-day week with full wage compensation in particularly demanding jobs such as nursing care
• Restriction of all-in contracts and non-competition clauses
• Free lunch in a joint all-day school for 6-15-year-olds
• Basic child protection with a universal amount of 367 euros (this can also be higher depending on the age group)
• Free climate ticket up to the age of 18
• Free media subscription for 16 to 30-year-olds
• Doubling the number of medical study places
• Abolition of access restrictions and fees at universities
• Introduction of an investment fund for restaurants and local suppliers
• 20 billion climate transformation fund (managed by ÖBAG)
• Removal of abortion from the penal code
• Introduction of a federal public prosecutor's office as an independent head of jurisdiction
• Pension without deductions after 45 years
• Ankle bracelets against violent offenders banned from entering the premises
• Specialist doctor guarantee within 14 days
• Commitment to compulsory military service and neutrality
• Two-state solution in the Middle East conflict
• Humanitarian support for Ukraine, but also keeping channels open for negotiated solutions
• EU-wide distribution of refugees
  

  Anyone who commits serious crimes or repeatedly commits minor crimes should feel the "full force" of the rule of law. Those who cannot be deported to their home country should be able to be taken to safe third countries outside the EU as part of a European initiative

Babler: Offer goes far beyond party ideology
For SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, it is about returning respect for people politically. The program is an offer that goes far beyond party ideology: "It is an election program that improves the living conditions of all people."

SPÖ party leader Andreas Babler spoke of an "important program for the future" at the presentation.

(Bild: APA Pool/APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

From the left: Reinhold Binder (PRO-GE), Miriam Hufgard-Leitner (health expert), SPÖ leader Andreas Babler, Maria Berger (former Minister of Justice) and Marc Hall (energy expert)

(Bild: APA Pool/APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

According to Babler, the program also shows how the SPÖ will bring Austria forward again and what needs to be done to tackle the major challenges Babler: "I stand for respect for work and performance, a real new start for Austria and for cohesion instead of division."

The duel is SPÖ versus Herbert Kickl. We accept the duel. It's about preventing an authoritarian turnaround and protecting this country and the Republic.

SPÖ-Parteichef Andreas Babler

Experts also feature in the SPÖ program
The SPÖ is also proud that the Expert Council set up by Babler has provided a lot of input for the program. 

Experts from a wide range of fields have had their say, from actor Cornelius Obonya to university professors such as Alex Polleres and Stefan Woltran, political scientist Julia Partheymüller and "courage builder" Ewald Grünzweil.