New red ideas

SPÖ wants a right to life without the internet

Party leader Babler gives his speech under the title "Heart and brain".(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

The SPÖ is unofficially kicking off the election campaign with its Federal Party Council in Wieselburg (Lower Austria) on Saturday. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler will present the first results of his expert council. In addition to well-known central demands such as a rent freeze, the doctor's appointment guarantee and the transformation fund, there are also some surprises. The "Krone" knows the first details.

Babler is giving his speech at the party council, where the federal list for the National Council elections will be determined, under the title "Heart and brain". "While other parties engage in mud-slinging, I am working on solutions with experts," says the red party leader. His new proposals cover many areas of life: security, work, health, women and more.

Shackles for violent offenders
Babler is calling for 4000 additional police officers. "The population is growing, the police force is shrinking - today there are 4,000 fewer police officers than in 2020 and more retirements than new recruits." He wants to reverse this trend, says Babler. In addition, tough measures should be taken against violence against women. The SPÖ is calling for the use of ankle bracelets for perpetrators of violence who are already banned from entering the premises. This would allow the police to be notified immediately if a perpetrator crosses the prescribed boundary.

Another area is increasing digitalization. Older people in particular are overwhelmed by the rapid pace of digitalization in all areas of life. The SPÖ therefore advocates the right to an analog life. It should still be possible to deal with the authorities or buy a ticket over the counter. It should be possible to deal with the authorities at service points in municipalities. Critical infrastructure services must also be able to be handled locally. These include electricity and gas providers, postal partners, banks and insurance companies.

Service officers in the municipalities
To revitalize the municipalities, the SPÖ is also working on ideas such as "Austria Cafés" - subsidized meeting places for senior citizens in every municipality, run by the long-term unemployed. As "community buddies", municipal service officers are to meet people in person, advise them on their concerns and support them in dealing with the authorities. 

Party leader Babler gives his speech under the title "Heart and brain".(Bild: APA/ROBERT JAEGER)

Relieving the burden on work and the self-employed
The SPÖ also wants to reduce taxes on work and relieve the burden on the self-employed. They should no longer have to pay co-payments at the doctor and receive sick pay from the fourth day onwards. Small farmers are to receive more subsidies. The Social Democrats rule out an increase in the retirement age and want to implement a corresponding "pension guarantee" in law.