Reform Partnership: Neos gamble on a two-thirds majority with the Greens on health and education

Education: Nationwide standards instead of federal-state chaos

In the education sector, the federal government is to set uniform quality standards across Austria in the future, "sei es bei den Gruppengrößen, sei es bei den Regelungen für den Übertritt in die Schulen", which currently vary completely from state to state. In the second half of the year, the legal foundations are now to be created. The reform thus reaches deep into the previous sovereignty of the states over the education directorates.

In healthcare, the balance sheet is more mixed. "Zwar keine vollumfängliche Finanzierung aus einer Hand, aber immerhin eine gemeinsame Planung und Steuerung für den Spitals- und niedergelassenen Bereich, die auch verbindlich sein sollen." In an ideal case, according to the supply analysis, one percent of GDP, "also durchaus Milliardenbeträge", as it is said. The fiscal equalization plays a central role in this: "Denkbar ist, dass die Ausschüttung von Mitteln aus dem Finanzausgleich an die Einhaltung geknüpft ist." Sanctions for non-compliance are still being negotiated.

Health: Billion-euro potential and open sanctions

Political resistance is already forming. State governors such as Daniel Fellner and Hans Peter Doskozil (both SPÖ) have already had their offices "mit viel Getöse gegen die mögliche Umwandlung kleiner Spitäler etwa in Facharztzentren" protest. The SPÖ leadership in the federal states apparently fears a loss of coverage across the regions and the associated electoral disadvantages.

Resistance from the states: SPÖ tightens the reins

For the occasionally necessary two-thirds majority, an opposition party will also be needed. "Voraussichtlich werden einmal mehr die Grünen erster Ansprechpartner sein." The small opposition party thus moves into a key role, even though it is formally not part of the coalition. The negotiations over which parts of the reform actually require a two-thirds majority are likely to shape the coming weeks.

Two-thirds majority: The Greens as kingmakers

In terms of content, the reform partnership stands between aspiration and compromise. While the Neos see one of their core issues advanced with the education sector, the savings in healthcare fall short of the original desired vision. The construction via fiscal equalization is intended to discipline the states without formally stripping them of their planning sovereignty.

For the government, the presentation of the results is above all a signal of capacity for action after the failed attempt in January 2025. Whether the reform will actually be implemented in the announced form now depends on whether the coalition gets the Greens on board and whether the SPÖ state governors maintain their resistance.