According to major media reports, the NEOS MPs are demanding a reform of federalism. They created a position paper at their retreat on Friday that addresses the reorganization of responsibilities between the federal government, states, and municipalities. ' The NEOS want a reorganization of competencies in education, health, and energy.
In education, personnel competence should be bundled at the federal level, while schools should receive extensive autonomy in pedagogical, financial, and personnel matters. ' For the energy sector, the NEOS envision nationwide planning that enables faster approvals, more competition, and more price transparency. Savings should be made in political structures, such as the Federal Council.
The goal is to eliminate the competence chaos.
' Non-executive city councilors in Vienna and proportionality in all Austrian municipalities should also be abolished. Small-scale district authorities should be merged and branch offices closed. Regarding financial resources, the NEOS propose more tax autonomy for states and municipalities, with opportunities to levy transparent surcharges on income tax without increasing the overall tax burden.
The financial equalization should be more strongly oriented towards actual tasks. It is unclear how the NEOS plan to ensure that tax surcharges do not increase the overall tax burden, and specific legislative steps have not been detailed.
The 15a agreements have developed into an opaque contract jungle.