Austrian Coalition Government

Austria, a neighbouring country of Germany, has a new government following five months of negotiations after the September elections. The capital city of Austria, Vienna, continues to be the hub of political activity.

The new government is formed by the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), under the leadership of Chancellor Herbert Kickl. The coalition talks initially involved the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), and NEOS, but the FPÖ was the only party successful in forming the government.

The ÖVP and SPÖ, both major parties in Austria, are often compared to their German counterparts. The ÖVP is similar to the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Germany, while the SPÖ shares similarities with the Social Democratic Party (SPD). However, neither party's resemblance to German parties implies any formal alliance or partnership.

The state budget is a significant concern for the leaders of the three parties forming the government. The budget needs to be put in order quickly to avoid fines from the European Union. To this end, the government has announced plans to provide more financial support to poor families, including an increase in money for children.

In addition to financial matters, the government has also outlined plans to tighten asylum laws. This includes integration courses for refugees and a headscarf ban for girls. The ÖVP, in particular, has expressed a desire to protect traditional values.

One of the first decisions made by the new government is a one-year ban on rent increases. This move is expected to provide some relief to Austrians grappling with rising living costs.

The language spoken in Austria is German, and the government's policies are expected to have a significant impact on the lives of its citizens. As the new government settles in, Austrians will be closely watching to see how these policies unfold.