Ministerial posts

Three Salzburg heads for the Zuckerl coalition

Three Salzburg residents could be part of the new federal government.(Bild: Markus Tschepp)

Salzburg-born Christoph Wiederkehr is likely to become Minister, Sepp Schellhorn State Secretary. There is still a question mark behind SPÖ National Councillor Michaela Schmidt.

Until the approval of the Neos members on Sunday, the new federal government is not quite fixed. However, the negotiators have never been as far along as they are now. At least there is already a program. Salzburg's Governor Wilfried Haslauer has already shaken hands with the coalition partners: he wishes the new government every success and "reaffirms the willingness of the provincial governors to work together constructively in the interests of our country". Haslauer is currently Chairman of the Governors' Conference.

He is pleased that "the way has been found for a broad-based, centrist government". With his faded black-green-pink Salzburg Dirndl coalition, Haslauer is living proof that even a three-party alliance can last five years.

"New metering systems" are to be tested to combat traffic jams on transit routes such as the A10.(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

How big Salzburg's share of the new federal government will be is not yet certain. Exiled Salzburg resident Christoph Wiederkehr, Neos city councillor for education in Vienna, is considered to be set for the Ministry of Education. The extended Neos party executive today and the general meeting still have to agree. This also applies to Sepp Schellhorn. He is to become State Secretary for Deregulation (in the Foreign Ministry of party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger). If he accepts the post, however, the restaurateur will have to give up his businesses. The SPÖ presidium will also decide on the red list of ministers today.

New solution for traffic jams on the A10 under discussion
There is a particular rift over the Ministry of Finance. Right in the middle of it: Salzburg National Councillor Michaela Schmidt. She is one of several options for party leader Andreas Babler. The discussion about the Ministry of Finance is likely to be particularly protracted in the executive committee. Interesting fact: Schmidt sits in the Salzburg chair on the party presidium at Babler's request and has a say in decisions about herself. Salzburg co-leader Barbara Thöny is new to the presidium, but has no vote.

Salzburg is mentioned once in the program. In terms of traffic jams on transit routes, i.e. on the A10. "New metering systems" are to be tested here. Of interest to the 119 municipalities in Salzburg: post offices and ATMs in the villages should be retained wherever possible.