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Austrian government promises massive road and rail expansion amid coalition squabbles

Austrian chancellor Kurt Nehammer has promised €45 billion worth of road and rail improvements across the country as part of a major infrastructure package if his government is reelected - and criticised his own coalition partners for existing delays. 

Published: 23 July 2024 12:37 CEST
Austrian government promises massive road and rail expansion amid coalition squabbles
Austrian Chancellor promises a massive infrastructure boost of rail and roads if his government is re-elected. Photo: Hans / Pixabay

The plan foresees €21 billion would be spent on rail transport and €11.1 billion on the road network. Ten billion euros would be directed at the energy sector and €2.4 billion would be spent on promoting broadband expansion – especially in rural areas.

This, of course, depends firstly on the party being reelected in the federal elections this Autumn. 

The chancellor announced the plans and emphasised the need for continued improvements in the country’s transportation networks in a Monday press conference in Vienna. He was accompanied by Finance Minister Magnus Brunner – both of the conservative ÖVP. 

More roads planned

Roads were a particular focus of the press conference. 

A further 85 kilometres of roads would be built under Nehammer’s plan, including an extension to the S18 in Vorarlberg to ease congestion at the border with Switzerland.

The chancellor also specifically highlighted the Lobau tunnel, a proposed 8.2-kilometre tunnel that would form a bypass of the nation’s capital, as a project vital to Austria’s continued growth. 

This tunnel has been delayed repeatedly due to ongoing impact studies carried out by the Ministry of Transport, which is currently headed by Leonore Gewessler of the Green Party.

Expansion of rail 

The government has already approved much of the planned rail infrastructure improvements as part of plans announced in November 2023. 

Many projects involve double-tracking routes, as is the case with work along the country’s main east-west line. 

Further doubling of tracks, allowing more trains, will take place with lines connecting cities such as Graz with Slovenia and the Czech Republic. 

However, several projects have been delayed, such as the expansion of tracks to more fully service the country’s south in Carinthia. 

‘We must not block the future’

Parties such as the Greens were singled out as responsible for the delays in road and rail projects during Monday’s press conference. 

Nehammer identified the time spent assessing the impact of new infrastructure as a “delaying tactic that is no longer appropriate for the future“.

He added that it was an “illusion to believe that there will be no more commuters in the future” and “that is why the argument against the road is an argument against the future, against development, against Austria as a business location and against Austria as a place to work.”

“We must not block the future.”

‘Misunderstood the term street campaign’

The responses to Nehammer’s plans were rapid – potentially fueling the crisis within the coalition as it heads towards the polls. 

Transport Minister Gewessler was unaware of the contents of Nehammer’s press conference before Monday, and was quick to defend her record.

She stated: “We cannot continue as before if we want to protect the environment and the climate”, adding, “More roads also means being stuck in traffic jams on even more roads.

“I have changed this paradigm because we are building the infrastructure we need for the future.

“More and more people are taking the train, for example“, she pointed out.

Others saw the press conference as a cynical move prompted by electoral doubts. 

Douglas Hoyo, General Secretary of the liberal NEOS party was particularly biting: “The Chancellor has misunderstood the term street campaign, there is no other explanation for today’s press conference. 

“Instead of finally implementing Austria’s important and urgent reforms, Nehammer is making a plea for road construction and is once again presenting all sorts of government projects that he has not implemented in recent years.”

Sources within the far-right FPÖ told politics blog Fass ohne Boden: “Why are the federal states’ projects only being demanded now?” 

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POLITICS

EXPLAINED: What the political parties in Austria’s election race stand for

Austria's national elections will be held on September 29th. Nine parties are on the ballot. Here's what you need to know about each of them and what they stand for.

Published: 27 August 2024 15:14 CEST
EXPLAINED: What the political parties in Austria's election race stand for

Austria is gearing up for its 2024 National Council elections, scheduled for September 29th. This election is critical, as it will determine the composition of Austria’s parliament and influence the country’s political direction for the coming years.

With immigration, economic challenges, and environmental concerns dominating the agenda, the 2024 National Council elections are expected to be highly competitive. The far-right FPÖ party has been leading polls, followed closely by the centre-right ÖVP and then the centre-left SPÖ. 

Austria is set to elect a new parliament, or National Council (Nationalrat), which will then elect a new chancellor. Currently, the country is led by an ÖVP-Greens coalition, with chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and vice-chancellor Wagner Kogler (Greens) in the chancellery. 

Nine parties will be on the ballot this year. Here’s an overview of them (the party names are listed in alphabetical order unless they refer to parties represented in the National Council). 

Karl Nehammer – The People’s Party (ÖVP)

The centre-right conservative ÖVP, Austria’s leading conservative party, emphasises traditional values, economic stability, and national security. On immigration, the party has adopted a stringent stance, focusing on robust border controls and strict asylum procedures. The ÖVP advocates for the integration of immigrants who meet Austria’s cultural and legal expectations but remains committed to limiting the overall number of asylum seekers the country takes in. 

The party supports tax cuts for businesses, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and investing in infrastructure. They also prioritise family policies, including incentives for childbirth and support for working parents.

The ÖVP rules most of Austria’s cities and provinces and has been in government since the 1990s—most of that time as a ruling coalition partner. The party leader is the current chancellor, Karl Nehammer.

You can read more about the party HERE.

Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ)

The centre-left SPÖ, Austria’s oldest political party, is rooted in social justice, workers’ rights, and welfare policies. While supporting controlled immigration, the SPÖ calls for policies that facilitate the integration of immigrants into Austrian society, mainly through access to education, healthcare, and the labour market. The party argues that well-integrated immigrants can contribute positively to the economy and social fabric, emphasising solidarity and inclusion.

The party supports more substantial labour rights, affordable housing, and healthcare access for all.

Andreas Babler, the mayor of Traiskirchen, leads the party. The SPÖ has led Vienna since 1945.

You can read more about the party HERE.

Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ)

The hard-right FPÖ is known for its nationalist and populist rhetoric, particularly its hardline stance on immigration. The party advocates for strict immigration controls, including fortified borders and an end to Austria’s asylum policy. The FPÖ argues that certain types of immigration threaten Austrian culture and national identity, and it positions itself as the defender of traditional Austrian values against what it perceives as the challenges of multiculturalism.

They also focus on reducing the European Union’s role in Austrian affairs and increasing spending on internal security, including the police and military.

Herbert Kickl leads the party.

You can read more about the party HERE.

READ ALSO: What would an FPÖ government look like in Austria?

Die Grünen – The Green Alternative (Grüne)

The Greens prioritise environmental sustainability, social equality, and human rights. On immigration, they advocate for a humane and compassionate approach, supporting the rights of refugees and migrants. The party calls for fair asylum procedures and effective integration policies that ensure newcomers can contribute to society while maintaining their cultural identities. The Greens also emphasise the importance of international cooperation in addressing the root causes of migration, such as climate change and conflict.

The Greens prioritise environmental protection, aiming to combat climate change through policies like transitioning to renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Werner Kogler, Austria’s vice-chancellor, leads the party.

You can read more about the party HERE.

NEOS – The reform force for your new Austria (NEOS)

The centrist and liberal NEOS advocates for a modern, liberal Austria, focusing on education reform, digitalisation, and economic liberalisation. They support reducing government intervention in the economy, encouraging entrepreneurship, and enhancing transparency in governance.

Regarding immigration, NEOS supports a balanced approach that ensures secure borders while promoting the integration of immigrants into the workforce and society. The party views immigration as an opportunity to address Austria’s demographic challenges, advocating for policies that attract skilled workers and foster cultural diversity.

You can read more about the party HERE.

The following parties are running in the election but are not currently represented in the Austrian parliament:

The Beer Party (BIER)

The Bierpartei, while primarily a satirical entity, critiques the political establishment through humour, focusing on cultural and entertainment policies. Although it lacks a comprehensive policy platform, the party often uses its platform to highlight contradictions in the policies of other parties, including those related to immigration, by offering satirical counterpoints that resonate with younger and disillusioned voters.

You can read more about the party HERE.

READ ALSO: ‘Glass half full’: Who is Austria’s Beer Party candidate for chancellor?

None of them (KEINE)

“Keine von denen,” meaning “None of the Above,” is a protest against traditional political parties. The party’s platform is based on voter dissatisfaction. It advocates for alternative approaches to governance and often highlights the failures of the current political system. Keine von denen appeals to voters frustrated with mainstream politics and seeking change, though it lacks a detailed policy agenda.

They favour “a social and economic order in which everyone makes their fair contribution and not a few rich people and their corporations control everything, pocket all profits and do not even make their tax contribution.”

You can read more about the party HERE.

Communist Party of Austria – KPÖ Plus

The Marxist KPÖ, though smaller in size, has gained attention for its commitment to workers’ rights and social equality. The party supports open immigration policies, emphasising solidarity with refugees and migrant workers. 

They advocate for nationalising vital industries, wealth redistribution, and a robust social safety net.

The KPÖ argues for more robust protections and rights for immigrant workers, viewing them as an integral part of the global working class. The party’s platform includes calls for the abolition of discriminatory immigration laws and the establishment of more equitable social and economic policies.

You can read more about the party HERE.

READ ALSO: Why is support for the Communist Party rising in Austria?

List Madeleine Petrovic (LMP)

The LMP, led by former Green politician Madeleine Petrovic, emphasises grassroots environmental activism and social justice. The party’s platform is focused on “controlling” the government as a transparency tool, by informing the population “honestly and comprehensively”.

You can read more about the party HERE.

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