Austria: The new government adopts strict measures in asylum and the economy.
The new Austrian government announced its program after 152 days of negotiations, including austerity measures and strict reforms in asylum and immigration. The plans include reducing asylum applications to zero, an immediate halt to family reunification, and restricting the movement of rejected refugees. A three-year waiting period for social assistance will also be imposed, along with a ban on wearing hijabs until the age of 14.
On the economic front, an austerity plan will be implemented with cuts of 6.3 billion euros in 2025 and 8.7 billion in 2026. Taxes on cigarettes and betting will be increased, and taxes will be imposed on electric cars. However, rents will not rise until 2026, and the value-added tax on women's products will be abolished.
In the health sector, waiting times will be reduced by expanding primary care clinics and enhancing electronic booking services. In the area of security, salaries for recruits will be increased, and the use of police cameras and drones for border surveillance will be expanded. The government, which is the most expensive in Austria's history, includes 12 ministers and 7 state secretaries. The new chancellor, Christian Stöckl, is expected to take the oath of office on Monday.