SPÖ Balance Sheet: 179 Resolutions in 495 Days and 48 Calls to Order, 40 of Them Against the FPÖ

Kucher particularly highlighted the involvement of the opposition. More than 70 percent of the resolutions were passed with votes from the opposition, and in 72 percent of cases there was approval from the opposition parties' ranks. The SPÖ parliamentary group leader was "particularly pleased" about these figures. Specifically, the 179 resolutions were distributed as follows according to the parliamentary balance sheet: 50 resolutions (28 percent) were passed unanimously, 79 resolutions (44 percent) were passed with votes from the opposition, and 50 resolutions (28 percent) were passed solely with a government majority.

Calls to Order: 40 of 48 Against the FPÖ

Kucher was less pleased about the atmosphere in the plenary. In the current legislative period, there have been 48 calls to order so far, and the number of "personal attacks" is "rising." 40 of these calls to order went to the FPÖ, corresponding to a share of 83 percent. Kucher said: "Bei allen inhaltlichen Unterschieden sollten wir wieder zu einem respektvolleren Umgang zurückkehren."

With a pointed remark, the SPÖ group leader personally attacked FPÖ chief Herbert Kickl: Kickl had "more calls to order than motions submitted." From the SPÖ's perspective, this statement illustrated the rough tone that the opposition party, in the view of the government factions, cultivates in the National Council. The vast majority of calls to order thus went to a single parliamentary group.

Historical Comparison with the Pandemic Government

In historical comparison, the SPÖ still rates its interim balance as successful. Only during the coronavirus pandemic, when parliament under the turquoise-green government had approved 243 legislative resolutions in the same period, was a higher number achieved. With 179 resolutions, the current coalition of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS ranks second among the most resolution-productive governments according to the SPÖ parliamentary group's evaluation.

Kucher's Appeal to All Factions

Kucher combined his balance sheet with an appeal to the members of parliament of all factions. "Weniger schimpfen, mehr Lösungen sollte unser gemeinsames Ziel sein," said the SPÖ parliamentary group leader. The combination of a high number of resolutions, broad opposition involvement, and the call for a more factual tone should direct attention to the parliament's capacity to work in the current period.

The parliamentary balance sheet was compiled by the SPÖ parliamentary group based on its own evaluation of legislative activity and presented to the public on Sunday. It is intended as an interim balance after nearly 500 days of the current coalition government of ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS. The opposition, particularly the FPÖ, has not publicly commented on the figures presented so far.

Overall, the balance sheet from the SPÖ's perspective shows two opposing trends: on the one hand, high productivity in legislative resolutions and comparatively broad involvement of the opposition; on the other hand, an increasingly confrontational style in the plenary, reflected in the rising number of calls to order. The assessment of these two aspects is likely to shape the further debate on the state of the National Council.