WKÖ President Schultz takes stock at the halfway point of the reform period

At the center of the announcements, according to Schultz, is the gradual reduction of the Kammerumlage 2 (KU2) by 100 million euros annually. This is intended above all to deliver the greatest added value for members. The KU2 is a surcharge on the basic chamber contribution and is paid by companies based on their payroll sum. "Then reform becomes a new beginning, and from a new beginning trust is reborn," said Schultz.

KU2 reduction as the core element

A further cornerstone is staff reduction. Schultz pointed to the already completed reduction of 200 of the most recent 800 employees at Wirtschaftskammer Österreich in Vienna-Wieden, corresponding to a decrease of 25 percent. "We are combing through every cost factor, restructuring," she said. The transformation is proceeding "certainly not without pain," as she acknowledged.

At the same time, Schultz firmly rejected tax plans. There will continue to be "with us" no inheritance and wealth taxes, she said to applause. "The program also requires difficult decisions," Schultz emphasized. The regional chambers are on board, as her words indicated. The goal is a "modern and capable interest representation."

Staff reduction and restructuring

With a view to the double budget – that is, the upcoming double budget period of the federal government – Schultz found words of praise. She sees the chamber after the first half of the reform year "back at the front" and drew comparisons to the ongoing soccer World Cup. "What matters, however, is that at the end of the second half we can say we have reached our goal: We have mastered our reform process together, and the winner is Austria's economy."

Support was signaled by the head of the Social Democratic Business Association (SWV), Bernd Hinteregger. He announced a "hot autumn," referring to reforms of the Wirtschaftskammer electoral law. Fair conditions "without advantages for certain factions" are needed, and above all voter turnout must be increased, which most recently stood at just over 26 percent. With the six motions announced for the day, the aim is to confirm "the role as a consistent interest representation of domestic entrepreneurs," said Hinteregger.

Electoral law and participation

The reform group within the WKÖ, which according to its own accounts has driven initial reform steps, stressed that "with few fouls" several "goals" have been played out. The "battered reputation" of the WKÖ must, however, continue to be set right. The ÖVP Wirtschaftsbund, as well as figures such as Michael Bernhard and Alexander Klacska, are also involved in the reform process, as contributions indicated.

Overall, Schultz painted a picture of a course that goes beyond personnel and cost measures. "We have chosen to shape things," she said. This underscores "serious reform efforts," according to the WKÖ President. The second half of the reform year is to secure the announced target state of a modern, capable interest representation.