Federal Chancellor and party leader Karl Nehammer sees the election manifesto presented on Thursday as an “offer to the centre”. The positions, written down on 270 pages, are already known from the “Austria Plan” of the current head of government, who was flanked by representatives of the ÖVP sub-organizations at the presentation.
The election manifesto was unanimously adopted by the party leadership on Wednesday, emphasized Nehammer at the presentation at his party’s political academy. The focus is on conservative values: “We want to reward performance, generate growth and increase prosperity.” This is also to be achieved by increasing the home ownership rate to 60 percent, as already advocated in the Austria plan, for example through a cheap home loan for young families.
No “anti-performance measures”
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Nehammer also made it clear that the difference between work and non-work should grow significantly with renewed ÖVP participation in government. Therefore, there should be neither “measures that are detrimental to performance” nor new taxes. Another point in the ÖVP program is dedicated to families, “the foundation of our society,” according to the Chancellor. With a total of 4.5 billion euros by 2030, the ÖVP wants to create better framework conditions, for example for childcare.
The ÖVP has written down hot topics recently discussed in the government, such as messenger surveillance, under the security point. “With me as chancellor, the powers that are needed to take action against terrorism and organized crime will come,” promised Nehammer. He described neutrality as an “essential pillar” of the republic, and Austria will not become part of a military alliance.
According to the election manifesto, performance in the world of work should also be brought about by a “full-time bonus” of 1,000 euros, and work and pensions should be taxed less. The ÖVP, on the other hand, is calling for stricter rules for the unemployed in the form of a degressive unemployment benefit. The ÖVP wants to streamline state bureaucracy, for example by using AI in the public service and through laws with an “expiration date”.
Declarations of war against anti-Semitism
The black party’s election manifesto also includes commitments to cash, a “strong Europe”, agriculture, the police and national defence. But there are also declarations of war, for example against anti-Semitism. But social abuse must also be combated, and “full force” must be applied to organised crime, extremism and people smugglers. A “strict asylum system” with “consistent deportations” is intended to stop “illegal migration”. In addition, there are compulsory citizenship courses and other stricter rules for obtaining citizenship.
In the health sector, the ÖVP wants to create 800 new positions for statutory health insurance doctors, and a professional obligation for doctors after training in Austria is also intended to ensure the provision of care. 11 billion euros are to be invested in the care and health system. In the education sector, the ÖVP wants to reintroduce performance groups. There is also to be a “compulsory education”. Nehammer: “No child who cannot read, write and do arithmetic should leave school.”
SPÖ Federal Secretary Klaus Seltenheim criticized the ÖVP’s election program as an “offer to the FPÖ.” He also warned against billions in gifts for the super-rich and large corporations, as well as cuts to employees’ salaries. FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker described the ÖVP’s election program in a press release as a “huge program to deceive citizens.” The demand for more prosperity and relief was not credible after the last legislative period, explained Hafenecker, referring to the “extreme price increases” and “record inflation.”
And the Neos also found what was presented implausible. Chancellor Nehammer could have implemented all of these points long ago, stressed NEOS General Secretary Douglas Hoyos, after all the People’s Party has been in government for 37 years. Each time before election day the ÖVP announces a major relief for the population, but in reality there is “nothing but hot air” behind it.
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What are the key components of the ÖVP’s election manifesto, and how do they align with the party’s conservative values?
Understanding the ÖVP’s Election Manifesto: A Comprehensive Analysis
In recent news, Austrian Federal Chancellor and party leader Karl Nehammer presented the ÖVP’s election manifesto, a 270-page document outlining the party’s conservative values and vision for the country’s future. The manifesto, unanimously adopted by the party leadership, focuses on rewarding performance, generating growth, and increasing prosperity.
Conservative Values at the Forefront
The ÖVP’s election manifesto is centered around conservative values, with a strong emphasis on promoting performance and prosperity. The party aims to increase the home ownership rate to 60% by providing cheap home loans for young families, among other initiatives. Nehammer has also pledged to create better framework conditions for families, investing 4.5 billion euros by 2030.
Security and National Defence
The manifesto addresses hot topics such as messenger surveillance, neutrality, and national defence. Nehammer has promised to take action against terrorism and organized crime, while maintaining Austria’s neutrality and avoiding military alliances. The ÖVP also vows to combat anti-Semitism, social abuse, and illegal migration, with a strict asylum system and consistent deportations.
Economic and Social Reforms
The party’s election manifesto includes plans to streamline state bureaucracy through the use of AI and laws with expiration dates. The ÖVP also aims to promote performance in the workforce by introducing a “full-time bonus” of 1,000 euros and reducing taxes on work and pensions. However, the party has also proposed stricter rules for the unemployed, including a degressive unemployment benefit.
Healthcare and Education
In the healthcare sector, the ÖVP plans to create 800 new positions for statutory health insurance doctors and introduce a professional obligation for doctors trained in Austria. The party has also pledged to invest 11 billion euros in the care and health system. In education, the ÖVP wants to reintroduce performance groups and implement a compulsory education system, ensuring that no child leaves school without basic skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Reactions from Opponents
The ÖVP’s election manifesto has been met with criticism from opposing parties. SPÖ Federal Secretary Klaus Seltenheim described the manifesto as an “offer to the FPÖ,” while FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker claimed it was a “huge program to deceive citizens.” The Neos party has also expressed skepticism, with General Secretary Douglas Hoyos accusing the ÖVP of making empty promises.
Election Manifestos in the European Context
The ÖVP’s election manifesto is not an isolated incident. Across Europe, parties are presenting their manifestos ahead of elections, outlining their visions for their countries’ futures. A report by EuroAlter [2] analyzed the election manifestos of pan-European political parties, highlighting their
Renew Europe manifesto 2024
Austria’s Conservative Party Presents Election Manifesto: Focus on Performance, Growth, and Prosperity
As Austria gears up for a busy electoral year in 2024, with European elections, National Council elections, two regional elections, and a large number of local elections [[1]], the country’s conservative party, the ÖVP (Austrian People’s Party), has presented its election manifesto. Federal Chancellor and party leader Karl Nehammer has hailed the manifesto as an “offer to the centre”, emphasizing the party’s commitment to conservative values[[[2]].
Key Components of the ÖVP’s Election Manifesto
The ÖVP’s election manifesto, adopted unanimously by the party leadership, focuses on three key areas: performance, growth, and prosperity. To achieve these goals, the party has outlined several measures, including:
- Rewards for Performance: The ÖVP wants to encourage performance by introducing measures such as a “full-time bonus” of 1,000 euros and reducing taxes on work and pensions.
- Support for Families: The party has allocated 4.5 billion euros by 2030 to create better framework conditions for families, including childcare and education.
- Security and Neutrality: The ÖVP has written down hot topics recently discussed in the government, such as messenger surveillance, and has pledged to maintain Austria’s neutrality, vowing not to join a military alliance.
- Healthcare and Education: The party wants to create 800 new positions for statutory health insurance doctors and introduce a professional obligation for doctors after training in Austria. Additionally, it plans to reintroduce performance groups in education and introduce a “compulsory education” system.
Conservative Values
The ÖVP’s election manifesto is firmly rooted in conservative values, with a focus on individual performance, growth, and prosperity. The party has outlined a comprehensive plan to streamline state bureaucracy, reduce taxes, and increase prosperity, while also emphasizing the importance of neutrality and security.
Reactions from Opposing Parties
The ÖVP’s election manifesto has received criticism from opposing parties, with the SPÖ (Social Democratic Party of Austria) describing it as an “offer to the FPÖ” (Freedom Party of Austria) [[3]]. The FPÖ has also criticized the ÖVP’s election program, calling it a “huge program to deceive citizens”. The Neos, another opposition party, has also expressed its disapproval of the ÖVP’s manifesto.
The FPÖ and the Austrian Political Landscape
The FPÖ, founded in 1955, is a populist party that has been gaining popularity in recent years [[4]]. With the party expected to perform well in the upcoming European elections, the ÖVP’s election manifesto can be seen as an attempt to appeal to centre-right voters and counter the FPÖ’s influence.
the ÖVP’s election manifesto presents a comprehensive and conservative vision for Austria’s future, with a focus on performance, growth, and prosperity. As the country prepares for a busy electoral year, the manifesto is set to be a key battleground in the political landscape.
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