Vienna chooses the future: SPÖ and Neos present upswing coalition!

Vienna chooses the future: SPÖ and Neos present upswing coalition!

After the elections in April and intensive three weeks of negotiations, SPÖ and Neos presented their new coalition in Vienna to the public. On June 3, 2025, Mayor Michael Ludwig and Vice Mayor Bettina Emmerling presented her extensive government program, which is entitled "Recovery Coalition". With 191 pages, the program brings a variety of measures to strengthen Vienna as a business location and to promote social cohesion. The goal: a stable city government that reacts to current challenges and makes Vienna Future Fit.

How the Viennese react to the program shows the opinion poll from Meinzär. Harald, a 65-year-old citizen, is behind the continuation of the coalition. He sees the government's previous work as positive. Another perspective, however, represents Elke (49), who would have liked to work with the Greens, but supports the planned "ring road offensive". Christa, 64, also expresses concerns and criticizes the planned settlement of an “Ai Gigafactory” that is to be located in the Seestadt. Harald, on the other hand, is concerned about the high electricity consumption of data centers, but sees the strengthening of the business location in principle.

Focust issues of the government program

The new coalition agreement relies on clear priorities. Labor market policy, digitization and technology play a central role. The government plans to continue to establish Vienna as a "economic engine in Austria". Investments in artificial intelligence and the expansion of the Life Science Center are planned. In addition, Vienna should apply for the execution of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The focus is on giving economic impulses and at the same time promoting social cohesion.

An important aspect of the government program is the climate target: Vienna is to become climate neutral by 2040. For this purpose, measures such as the expansion of photovoltaics, geothermal energy and the creation of 400,000 square meters of new parking and green areas were announced. The expansion of the urban cycle paths, especially on the ring road, is also on the agenda.

strengthening education and health

The area of ​​education is also promoted, including the introduction of a mandatory kindergarten visit of 30 hours a week for children with increased language support. In addition, language support in kindergarten is to be expanded and lateral entrances for specialists in elementary pedagogy are to be facilitated. The aim is to combat personnel bottlenecks and improve the care key in kindergartens.

Public health care is strengthened with the modernization of the hospital infrastructure and the expansion of regional health centers. A better involvement of the parents in kindergarten life is sought to increase the educational success of the children.

On June 10, 2025, the constituent meeting of the new municipal council takes place, in which the coalition has 53 out of 100 mandates in the municipal council. In order to keep an eye on the implementation of the projects, a government monitor is introduced to ensure transparency and control.

The new city government has made a lot of do. The coming months will show how the measures arrive in reality and what steps are actually implemented.