Mikl-Leitner urges Austria to cut non-wage labour costs in 2027

Lower Austria Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner has called on Austria’s federal government to bring forward a planned cut in non-wage labour costs from 2028 to 2027, ORF reported. She said the measure would strengthen competitiveness, trigger investment and create and protect jobs.

Speaking in ORF Lower Austria’s “NÖ heute” summer interview, Mikl-Leitner said the difficult economic situation required several measures to stimulate growth. She also called for an end to “gold-plating”, or exceeding European Union requirements, and said excessive regulation should be reduced to minimum standards.

Mikl-Leitner said she would have preferred drought aid for farmers to be delivered more quickly, arguing that lengthy discussions had damaged the federal government’s credibility. She confirmed that Lower Austria would provide the support it had promised for the aid package.

She said the main cause of climate change was the continued use of fossil energy and argued that the transition to alternative energy sources should be accelerated.

On the dispute over patients from Vienna receiving treatment in Lower Austria, Mikl-Leitner said a “small” solution was expected in late autumn. A broader agreement is to follow with the new financial equalisation system in 2028.

She rejected speculation that the next Lower Austrian state election could be held before its scheduled date in January 2028, saying there was no reason to bring it forward.

Asked about a poll commissioned by ORF Lower Austria, Mikl-Leitner said her party had maintained support of about 35 percent for three years despite falling support at national level. She said the party was not satisfied and needed to keep working.

Mikl-Leitner also backed Chancellor Christian Stocker, saying he was leading the government well. However, she said none of the governing parties could be satisfied with its performance and called for the government to improve its work.