FPÖ wants students to work longer in the future

Vienna, Austria – The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is proposing several ideas to address the national budget, with a particular focus on reforms in pensions and healthcare. Arnold Schiefer, the FPÖ's budget spokesperson, has outlined suggestions aimed at fiscal consolidation.

Schiefer suggests that health competencies should be consolidated at the federal level. He also indicated that "every screw will have to be turned" in healthcare, from benefits to co-payments. However, he noted that co-payments should only be considered as a "very last resort."

Regarding the workforce, Schiefer proposed a discussion on who can reasonably be expected to continue working longer. He specifically mentioned individuals who have pursued higher education and have not engaged in physically demanding labor. This suggests a potential policy shift towards encouraging or requiring longer working lives for certain demographics as a means to bolster the budget and potentially address pension system sustainability.

The FPÖ emphasizes the need for "real reforms" in pensions and healthcare, while also stating that "trust protection" should continue to apply to older individuals. The party's proposals indicate a willingness to explore various avenues for budget savings, balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to maintain social welfare.