Austria's New Government Unveils Stricter Asylum Policies

Approximately 150 days after the parliamentary elections, Austria's new coalition government, comprising the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), and the liberal NEOS, has unveiled its comprehensive governing program. The coalition leaders have described the negotiations leading up to this agreement as some of the most challenging in the nation's history.

Christian Stocker, the head of the ÖVP, who will assume the role of Federal Chancellor, emphasized the importance of the coalition's unity and its ability to take decisive action. Meanwhile, Andreas Babler, the SPÖ leader and future Vice Chancellor, highlighted the coalition's commitment to prioritizing security and addressing pressing national challenges, including the economic climate, migration, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The new government has announced a series of significant changes to asylum policies, including the immediate suspension of family reunification for asylum seekers. Chancellor Stocker stated that the government is also considering implementing a complete asylum halt if the number of applicants increases substantially.

In addition, the coalition has proposed an 'integration program from day one' for asylum seekers. This program aims to ensure that individuals wishing to reside in Austria assimilate into the country's values and culture. As part of this initiative, new arrivals will be required to learn the German language and be available for employment.

Furthermore, the government plans to limit access to social benefits for new asylum seekers, providing them with reduced state support. The coalition has also agreed to prohibit the wearing of headscarves for minor girls, reflecting a shift in societal and cultural policies.

Addressing economic challenges was another focal point of the coalition's agenda. The SPÖ leader announced intentions to stabilize the national budget, emphasizing that wealthier sectors must contribute more significantly to alleviate the financial burden. This includes increased taxation on banks, energy companies, private foundations, and property sales.

A transition to a climate-friendly economy will be facilitated through the establishment of a transformation fund. Additionally, the government aims to address unemployment among older individuals through a program called 'Action 55+' and enhance the workforce through targeted training strategies.

The coalition also aims to tackle rising living costs associated with energy price surges by freezing rental prices for the current year. Future rent increases will be capped at one percent in 2026 and two percent in 2027. A social tariff for energy is also on the agenda, along with improvements in healthcare services by expanding telemedicine and increasing the number of primary care facilities.

NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger announced plans to introduce civic education as a school subject, aiming to equip young people with the skills to recognize and combat misinformation on social media. Additionally, the coalition intends to create a program that allows young individuals to subscribe to a quality media outlet of their choice for free, enhancing media literacy.

While discussions have progressed, the coalition agreement is not yet finalized. The governing bodies of the SPÖ and ÖVP are scheduled to meet for discussions, while NEOS will hold a vote among its members regarding the coalition agreement. A formal swearing-in of the new government could occur shortly thereafter.

The recent parliamentary elections saw the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) emerge as the largest force in parliament, complicating the formation of a governing coalition. Following the elections, major parties ruled out the possibility of a coalition with the FPÖ, leading to protracted negotiations that ultimately resulted in the current coalition agreement.