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The blue-black coalition is shooting itself in the foot with XXXXX

Governor Mario Kunasek (FPÖ) and Deputy Governor Manuela Khom (ÖVP) explained the most important key points of the government meeting to the assembled press.

(Bild: Jauschowetz Christian)

Content instead of headlines! That's what the new government team around Governor Mario Kunasek promised for the first working meeting. The time had come on Saturday: a few details were presented at Seggau Castle - for example on strengthening private transport or the ban on begging. Malice comes from the opposition.

The first working meeting of the blue-black coalition in Styria was intended to "establish initial key points and present beacons". The state government intends to prioritize the thematic blocks worked out in just one and a half days in the coming months and years.

After the warm-up meeting on Friday, which included a visit to a wine tavern in the evening, the first public discussions took place on Saturday. There were no surprises, and it came as no surprise that the FPÖ set the tone for the new 7-point program.

Enormous media interest at the government retreat in southern Styria.

(Bild: Jauschowetz Christian)

"The challenges are huge"
FPÖ Governor Mario Kunasek and his deputy Manuela Khom (ÖVP) took their places at the lectern at 11:31 a.m. sharp amid enormous media interest. "The challenges in the country are very great, we have set ourselves the task of getting to work very quickly. Now, after 44 days, the time has come," said Kunasek.

And there is indeed a lot to do. The most important construction sites for blue and black: 

• Budget restructuring
  At 900 million euros, the outflow in the previous year was more than twice as high as estimated. Kunasek cited the slowing economy and unexpectedly high expenditure, such as for storm damage, as reasons for this. In the upcoming financial equalization negotiations in Vienna, the Styrians want to hit the table and get more money.

  "The goal must be to remain below one billion euros in 2025 in order to consolidate the budget in the medium term by 2030," says the head of the province. On the expenditure side, subsidies will have to be reviewed.

• Air 100s
  In the greater Graz area, it will be possible to step on the gas again in future. Specifically, the air 100 limit is to be dropped on the A9 and A2 around Graz. According to Kunasek, people need cars in Styria as an extensive federal state. The air 100 will be subjected to an in-depth review tomorrow. Technology is advancing, pollutant levels have improved immensely - "based on facts, we will take measures as quickly as possible."
• Ban on begging
  

  "We have no regulation in Styria," stated FPÖ leader Kunasek and announced that the provincial security law would be amended. Commercial begging will be banned; sectoral bans on begging, for example around bus stations, should also be possible. Ambitious timetable: A corresponding state parliament resolution is to be passed in summer 2025.

• Reducing bureaucracy
  This topic has so far remained vague, but Deputy Governor Manuela Khom has now announced the first steps:

  "Bureaucratic hurdles affect Styrians in many areas of life. We discussed this point at great length yesterday. The first new deregulation law is to be passed this summer, and we want to be finished with all measures by 2027."

• Payment card for asylum seekers
  With the introduction of a payment card for asylum seekers, as already exists in Lower Austria, cash benefits are to be abolished. The aim is to prevent abuse. There was talk of around 1000 people affected in Styria by the end of 2024. "We are waiting for the federal tender and will not be launching our own initiative," said Khom.
• Highway expansion
  The Green Infrastructure Minister Leonore Gewessler had always been resistant, but the new federal constellation now plays into the hands of the Styrian government: the A9 southbound is to be widened to three lanes. "The expansion is important for the economic area, but also for the residents of the affected communities south of Graz. However, more is needed, such as the expansion of the S36 or closing the gap in the S37," emphasized Kunasek. 
• Flight connection
  Graz Airport should also be upgraded; after all, 5,000 jobs are directly linked to the location. "We are also committed to the further expansion of flight connections - for example to Vienna, Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart or Brussels. In addition, we continue to insist on the construction of our own Koralm stop," says Kunasek. 
• Healthcare
  The coalition is calling on the federal government to increase the number of medical study places. "We have already made representations in Vienna for the introduction of a new model. We want to approach some of those young people who just missed the aptitude test and offer them a place if they commit to Styria," explained the Governor. 
• Violence
  Deputy Provincial Governor Khom has clear words on the increasing violence against children and women: "We are often shocked at the level of punishment that follows. The level of punishment urgently needs to be increased" - an issue that, like many others, is the responsibility of the federal government.

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Steirische Opposition schäumt

"The closed meeting of the blue-black state government has mainly produced symbolic measures, while the central concerns of the Styrian population have been ignored: Inflation, high housing costs and energy prices, major problems in health and care seem to move the state government little," was the KPÖ's first reaction.

"Started as a tiger, ended up as a bedside rug"
The Neos described the performance of the new provincial government as "insubstantial symbolic politics" that "threatens prosperity in Styria". "The state's deregulation offensive started out as a tiger and ended up as a bedside rug. Instead of creating a reporting office for bureaucracy or repealing laws, just another working group is being set up. This is a dangerous threat to Styria as a business location," said party leader Niko Swatek in a press release.

Neos leader Niko Swatek.

(Bild: Jauschowetz Christian)

"After weeks of stalling and putting people off, the blue-black state government has still not delivered any concrete ideas on how it intends to tackle the acute challenges - from climate protection to a lack of childcare places", Green Party leader Sandra Krautwaschl also found harsh words. "Today was another PR staging. Deceiving the public with deceptive tactics must not become the new normal."

Lack of strategies
"This closed meeting is a hollow report", commented SPÖ leader Max Lercher on the outcome of the government's work. "Citing the abolition of the Luft 100 as a key measure for Styria as a car country, but still having no strategy to secure jobs in the industry, shows how haphazardly this state government is acting."