National Council meeting

Zuckerl must deliver: first resolutions on Friday

The heads of the Zuckerl coalition will also face the National Council for the first time on Friday.(Bild: AP/The Associated Press)

On Friday, the National Council will hear first-hand what the coalition of the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS is planning for the next five years. Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) will give his first government statement, which will be followed by a debate in which various ministers will also be heard. But there will also be the first important legislative decisions. 

The new Federal Ministries Act, for example, is a done deal, as is the provisional budget.

"Carrier rocket"
But that doesn't have to be it yet, because the Budget Restructuring Measures Act, for example, is on the agenda as a so-called "carrier rocket" without any relevant content for the time being. This could include a wide range of savings plans such as a bank levy and the abolition of educational leave. At least some of the measures, such as the end of the VAT exemption for PV systems, could already be passed now.

The next National Council meeting will take place on Friday.(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

Thursday probably clarification
Ultimately, it will probably not be clear until the Budget Committee next Thursday at the earliest which of the plans will actually be adopted in the upcoming session. The next regular plenary session is not scheduled until March 26.

It is already certain that the previous automatic budget provision will be replaced by a statutory provisional budget. This provides more certainty that money can continue to flow until the planned double budget filled with content is adopted in a few weeks' time.

Federal Ministries Act to be adopted
The adoption of the Federal Ministries Act is also quite urgent. This is because the ministers have currently only taken over the tasks of the previous government. However, a reallocation of agendas has been agreed between the coalition partners. This means that Social Affairs Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) is currently unable to act in the area of work assigned to her because it still belongs to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

There are similar problems in almost all ministries. The future Chancellery Minister Claudia Plakolm (ÖVP) and Women's Affairs Minister Eva Maria Holzleitner (SPÖ) were sworn in without any area of responsibility. Only when the Federal Ministries Act comes into force can the members of the government concerned be sworn in again in accordance with their actual responsibilities.

At least there will be no special actions in the special session. There will be no "topical" or question time, nor will there be any "urgent" questions or motions as proposed by the club directors.