Tyrol NEOS adopt 2027 platform and seek governing role

Tyrol’s NEOS party has unanimously approved its platform for the 2027 state election and reiterated its goal of joining the state government, ORF reported.

Regional leader and parliamentary group chair Birgit Obermüller, who plans to lead the party into the election, said reforms would not happen without NEOS. She accused the ÖVP-SPÖ state government of clinging to existing structures rather than making changes.

Education is a central focus of the platform. NEOS wants a legal right to childcare from a child’s first birthday and says each kindergarten group should have one early childhood educator and two assistants. It also proposes a digital education and support record for every child. The party says this would not be a financial account for parents, but a way to bring together support services, talent development and individual learning opportunities.

The party also wants to expand all-day schools across Tyrol and gradually establish a right to afternoon care, starting with the first year of primary school. It proposes pilot areas for new school models.

Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, a NEOS member, criticised the Tyrol ÖVP’s opposition to a pilot project for six years of primary school. He said schools in the state had expressed interest and was confident at least one would take part.

Other proposals include reducing the size of the public administration and merging departments when they duplicate work. NEOS would also actively encourage municipal mergers and cooperation when these improve services, reduce costs and benefit residents.

On housing, the party wants to make construction, adding density, refurbishment and renovation easier. It said new taxes alone would not create more homes. In health care, it called for greater investment in prevention and health promotion, as well as the creation of primary care and specialist centres.

NEOS is seeking to improve its position before the election. An ORF Tirol poll in July put the party at about 5 percent, around the level needed to enter the state parliament. Obermüller said the party would work to convince voters it represents a new political centre with greater integrity and a stronger commitment to reform. NEOS has held seats in the Tyrol state parliament since 2018. In the 2022 election, it won 6.29 percent and two seats.