2023-09-18 09:58:58
Before the extraordinary state governors’ conference began in Vienna City Hall, both Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) and the majority of state leaders expressed skepticism that a result would be reached today. In any case, they want to take the negotiations “a good deal” further and “put certain things out of contention,” was the tenor.
“Keep an eye on the state as a whole”
Of course, ideas differ as to what that should be. In any case, Brunner prepared for “intensive” discussions and said in advance that he would be responsible for “keeping an eye on the state as a whole.” Which can be understood as a rejection of too bold country demands. The states are aiming to change the distribution key that is favorable for the federal government from the current 68 percent federal, 20 percent state and twelve percent municipalities to a future ratio of 60:25:15 percent.
Future Fund
The finance minister, on the other hand, is promoting his idea of a future fund through which the states and municipalities will receive additional project-related funds in the areas of care, housing, climate/environment and childcare. Brunner does not want to accept that the states would prefer a higher share of the tax cake every year: “One does not exclude the other.” The fund would also be endowed until the end of the new financial equalization period. In any case, he is confident “that a good solution will be found,” said Brunner.
At least the black-run countries are not completely averse to a future fund. A key change would of course be “the finest,” said Vorarlberg’s state leader and state representative in the negotiations, Markus Wallner, before the start of the LH conference. But the future fund is also a good idea, says Wallner: “There are different ways we can achieve our goal.” He didn’t want to give exact figures, but the last offers were definitely too low. And according to Salzburg’s regional leader Wilfried Haslauer (ÖVP), the aim is to change the key, but a future fund could also be a good idea. But it depends on its design. When asked how far apart they were in the negotiations, Haslauer said: “A little bit.”
more on the subject
The perspective of others The large LH conference coalition
“Cordial invitation”
The red state leaders who had previously arrived together exuded a little less confidence. Vienna’s mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) expects “intensive discussions”, after all it is about “distributing tax revenue fairly”. First of all, Ludwig reminded that states and municipalities are responsible for public services. Carinthia’s SP state governor Peter Kaiser, on the other hand, hopes that progress will be made; at the moment we are still a bit apart. The Finance Minister was “warmly” invited today so that he could present his proposals, said Kaiser.
The results of the meeting will be announced at a press conference at lunchtime. nachrichten.at will broadcast live from 1 p.m.
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