FPÖ angry with ÖVP:

First upsets in coalition negotiations

The FPÖ briefly withdrew from the "media" round of negotiations, as the blue party's Secretary General Christian Hafenecker announced on Thursday.

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

The government negotiations between the FPÖ and ÖVP continued on Thursday after the break in the National Council on Wednesday. Right at the beginning, however, there was some sand in the gears ...

Immediately after the start of the "Media" subgroup, the FPÖ briefly withdrew from this round of talks for internal consultations due to disagreements, as FPÖ Secretary General Christian Hafenecker said. The talks were then continued.

ÖVP's unilateral approach annoys FPÖ
The FPÖ is offended by the fact that Kurt Egger, media spokesman for the ÖVP, had invited the media associations to a "personal meeting" on Thursday, probably not by chance directly after the conclusion of the first round of negotiations, as the FPÖ said.

Media associations are concerned about freedom of the press and communication
Egger had stated on Monday that in view of the "current challenges for the Austrian media landscape", the ÖVP was reaffirming its support for democracy and media freedom. He referred to a letter from the media associations in which the domestic private media associations emphasized on Monday that freedom of the press and freedom of communication is a "constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right".

Kickl seeks "open dialog" with the media
Hafenecker said on the subject of the media that he wanted to put beyond dispute that the FPÖ stands "for media plurality", "even if you don't believe us". He also referred to a letter from FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl to the editors-in-chief and publishers, in which he had stated that he was seeking an "open dialog" with the media.

Of course, it will be necessary to repair media funding and "adapt it to the state of the art".

FPÖ-Generalsekretär Christian Hafenecker

Of course, it will be "necessary to repair" media funding and "adapt" it to the state of the art. Hafenecker pointed out that there are now more and more online media - "regardless of whether they are right-wing conservative media or others". "This should also be taken into account." It is clear that a media funding system has been "cobbled together", "where the established media have become entrenched", said Hafenecker on the current situation.

FPÖ Secretary General Christian Hafenecker

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

FPÖ insists on the end of the ORFbudget levy
 With regard to the ORF, the FPÖ General once again insisted on the blue demand for the abolition of the ORF budget levy. He emphasized that this was one of the FPÖ electorate's central motives for voting. "Public broadcasting must be financed from the budget," he emphasized. A corresponding "commitment" had already been made during the negotiations in 2017 between the then Turkish-blue government - "we are taking corresponding proposals into the negotiations".

The two negotiating teams of the "Finance and Taxation" group with their heads of negotiation Hubert Fuchs (FPÖ) and Harald Mahrer (ÖVP) on Thursday.

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Hafenecker tried to dispel concerns that this would mean greater political interference: The accusation "that people want to put ORF on a political leash always misses the mark". Secure financing is needed - he could imagine a solution via the budget that extends beyond the legislative period, "so that the ORF does not have to renegotiate the budget after every election".

Another central point of the FPÖ is the "reappraisal" of the corona measures it is calling for. When asked whether he had a model in mind here based on the example of Lower Austria, Hafenecker answered in the affirmative.

Mahrer said that the aim was to ease the burden on citizens and entrepreneurs, and that the focus should also be on reducing bureaucracy in the tax system.

ÖVP pleads for work incentives
Incentives must be created to make more work worthwhile, he said, referring to his proposal for a "flat tax on performance": the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber had floated the idea of a flat tax of 20 percent, which would also apply to additional earnings in retirement, for example. "Overtime would also fall into this system," said Mahrer on Thursday.

Harald Mahrer, ÖVP head of negotiations for the "Finance and Taxation" group

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Incentives must be created to make more work worthwhile.

Wirtschaftskammer-Präsident Harald Mahrer (ÖVP)

With regard to the budget, both negotiators referred to the basic decision that has already been made, which should result in savings of around 6.4 billion euros in 2025 - and that without new taxes, which should make it possible to reduce the deficit to below three percent of GDP. The task now is to work out the budget path for seven years, according to Mahrer, who expressed his confidence.

First round of subgroups ends on Friday
The first round of thematic talks is due to conclude on Friday. Discussions will then focus on education, pensions and health as well as foreign and European policy. It is very likely that the subgroups will need several more meetings and that the FPÖ and ÖVP steering groups with party leaders Herbert Kickl and Christian Stocker will then also have their turn. There is no fixed time frame for the formation of a possible government.