Government pact

What the SPÖ and Greens are planning for Burgenland

Presenting the red-green government program: future Deputy Governor Anja Haider-Wallner (Greens) and Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ).

(Bild: Reinhard Judt)

The SPÖ and the Greens have set out their "Future Plan Burgenland 2030" on around 135 pages. The new state government wants to focus on the topics of care, health, asylum and migration as well as climate protection.

While the search for a federal government has already lasted 129 days, a record length in the history of the Second Republic, Governor Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ) and his future deputy Anja Haider-Wallner (Greens) finalized the first red-green state government for Burgenland just ten days after the start of negotiations. Doskozil and Haider-Wallner emphasized at the presentation of their counter-model to the federal government that the negotiations had taken place on an equal footing, with mutual understanding of the positions without any grandiose tactics.

The future state government also wants to push the pace when it comes to implementing the topics set out on 135 pages in the government pact. A central focus is placed on the areas of health, care, asylum and climate.

Focus on health and care
According to Doskozil, the federal government is shifting more and more costs to the private sector, particularly in the area of healthcare, and although everyone has health insurance, private individuals are having to pay for more and more healthcare services themselves. "We want to build up expertise here, offer quality and quantity and not just for current needs, but also for the future," says Doskozil, also with regard to the guest patient regulation. In terms of nursing care, the plan is to continue on the current path, implement the 71 bases and also plan measures in the municipalities.

Red-Green rejection of "expensive payment card" for asylum seekers
When it comes to asylum and migration, the new government is taking a "both worlds" approach. There will be no payment card in Burgenland, Doskozil says, rejecting an "expensive system for 40 euros pocket money". In the business sector, the establishment of three inter-company training workshops is planned. Subsidies for companies are to be awarded more transparently.

More "cleanliness" for politics
The red-green party also announces that it stands for "more cleanliness" in politics. In the event of a legally binding indictment against politicians, state law is to stipulate that those affected must automatically suspend their functions.

Vacancy tax and mandatory photovoltaics
The green signature can be clearly seen in the areas of climate, nature and soil protection. At the Gols hospital, for example, "replacement areas of twice the size are being dedicated for construction or renatured, and various measures are being implemented to limit land sealing," emphasizes Haider-Wallner.

In addition to the already announced climate protection law, there will also be a photovoltaic obligation for commercial buildings and parking spaces, a vacancy tax and an unsealing premium. A special "heart's desire" of the Greens is to be fulfilled with an animal shelter in the south.

The division of portfolios

Hans Peter Doskozil

The SPÖ provincial governor is also responsible for finance, EU and cross-border cooperation, authorities, personnel, health and hospitals, tourism, culture and museums. He is also responsible for state holdings, such as the state holding company and its companies.

Anja Haider-Wallner

The former leader of the Green Party becomes Deputy Governor. She takes over most of the agendas of her predecessor Astrid Eisenkopf (SPÖ), such as agriculture, the environment, nature conservation, climate protection, the Lake Neusiedl National Park, animal welfare, village renewal and consumer protection.

Daniela Winkler

The SPÖ provincial councillor will retain her current area of responsibility, education. This ranges from kindergartens and compulsory schools to universities of applied sciences. She will also be responsible for women's affairs and citizenship matters.

Heinrich Dorner

There is no change for the SPÖ provincial councillor from central Burgenland. He will continue to be responsible for infrastructure, spatial planning, housing subsidies, disaster control, public transport, fire departments, water management and sport.

Leonhard Schneemann

The SPÖ provincial councillor from southern Burgenland is still responsible for the economy, social affairs, employee promotion, digitalization, research and hunting and fishing. He will now also be responsible for municipalities and elections.