● LIVE: The Candy-Coalition

Headscarf ban, military reform, school reform, migration and integration, social policy, social media ban for youngsters… Here you can find the latest updates on Austria’s Candy Coalition government.

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS), Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP), and Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ). Image: parlament.gv.at

19-6-2026, 22:00:13/81st–83rd sittings: 10–11 June 2026

Budget speech: Finance Minister Marterbauer presented the double budget for 2027/28 and announced the goal of reducing the state deficit to 3% by 2028.
Budget Measures Act 2026: Adopted with the votes of the governing parties (Greens partly in favor). Eight laws, with planned savings of approx. €100 million by 2030 — including new fees for residence permits, stricter exit taxation, intensified measures against shell companies, reduced travel expense allowances in the public sector, and continuation of the tax-free employee bonus (now max. €500 instead of €1,000).
Support fund for single parents: Adopted by majority of ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS, and Greens. From 1 July 2026, support for single parents who do not receive maintenance or advance maintenance payments.
Legal entitlement to a trusted person: Adopted — the right to bring a trusted person to medical assessments by the PVA and the Social Ministry Service was extended beyond long-term care allowance procedures to additional proceedings.
Notarial Services Act: Adjustment of pension regulations for notaries (in response to the increased age limit for entry into the register of notarial candidates).
Deepfake resolution: Adopted by majority — mandate to the Minister of Justice and Women to create criminal law consequences for non-consensually created (sexualized) deepfakes. Two Green Party motions on the same issue remained in the minority.
Protection of women’s sports: Two FPÖ motions for resolutions seeking to exclude trans women from women’s sports did not gain a majority.
Universities of Applied Sciences programs: Adopted unanimously — simplified approval of new degree programs to strengthen institutional autonomy.
FPÖ motion on EU research funding: Discussed (according to available sources, without majority).

…

Double budget 2027/28 – first reading: Controversial debate; no vote yet (the actual budget is scheduled for final adoption on 10 July).
Renewables Expansion Acceleration Act (EABG): Adopted with a two-thirds majority (ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS, Greens; FPÖ against). Contents: higher expansion targets (30 TWh by 2030, at least 40 TWh by 2035), 5 GW battery storage target by 2030, one-stop-shop permitting procedures, “acceleration zones,” digital/hybrid procedures, implementation of the EU RED III Directive.
Short debate on conversion therapies: The Greens’ motion to set a deadline (until 3 July for a draft law to protect against pseudotherapies) did not gain a majority.
Annual report of the Ombudsman Board 2025: Discussed in plenary (taken note of).
FPÖ motions on neutrality/Ukraine loans: Motion to prohibit financing of war/conflict parties (amendment to the Neutrality Act) was debated but did not gain a majority.
Gender debate: Debate initiated by FPÖ on EU funding in the gender sector.

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27-3-2026, 22:01:18:

Social media ban for under 14s

After tough negotiations, the federal government announced a breakthrough on friday, march 27: the social media ban for young people under 14 is coming. The core element is the introduction of a mandatory minimum age of 14 for using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat. This age limit is aligned with Austria’s threshold for contractual capacity and the provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation. The coalition is not planning a ban list for specific platforms and apps —instead, the age restriction will apply generally to platforms with certain characteristics. A draft law is to follow by the end of June.

Complementing this is a school reform

Starting from the 2027/28 school year, the new compulsory subject “Media and Democracy” will be introduced in the upper level of academic secondary schools (AHS) with 2 weekly hours per year, where students learn how media shape public opinion and how disinformation can be recognized. To make room for it, two of the previous twelve Latin hours will be cut —originally it was four.

Fuel price brake

With the votes of the ÖVP, SPÖ, NEOS, and the Greens, the fuel price brake was passed. Greens leader Leonore Gewessler announced her approval only on wednesday, securing the necessary two-thirds majority for the law. The measures are to take effect by april 1, 2026, at the latest, and are limited until december 31, 2026. The goal is to reduce the price of gasoline and diesel by about ten cents per liter —five cents through a temporary reduction in the mineral oil tax, and another five cents through a cap on profit margins in the oil industry.

Easements for stock market listings

On march 26, the National Council passed a new law to facilitate stock market listings. A key point is the reduction of the required minimum free float from 25 to ten percent —the share of shares that can be freely traded. This takes account of the European “Listing Act.”

Reform of the Fiscal Council and new tasks for the Financial Market Authority

A small reform of the Fiscal Council was also unanimously adopted: It will now be evaluated every five years. The Financial Market Authority (FMA) will additionally receive a new task —it will be responsible for supervising rating agencies and will cooperate with the European Securities and Markets Authority.

Measures against violence against women and sidewalk harassment

In a unanimously adopted resolution, measures against female genital mutilation were demanded. The ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS also called for a review of the legal framework to protect pregnant women and clinic staff from so-called “sidewalk harassment” outside abortion clinics.

Major asylum package

On march 24, 2026, the Council of Ministers decided on the national implementation of the European Asylum Pact (GEAS), thereby initiating the parliamentary process to tighten asylum law. Specifically, the package includes the following points:

-Asylum procedures are to last a maximum of 3 months in the future, procedures at external borders are to be processed faster, and deportations are to be carried out more consistently.

-It also includes the possibility of longer detention after entry at the airport, reduction of basic services for misconduct, and expansion of detention and movement restrictions.

-Also decided in the Council of Ministers is the introduction of so-called “guardianship from day 1” for unaccompanied minor refugees. This means these children are to receive legal guardianship from the first day.

The package now has to go through the parliamentary process so that it also applies in Austria in time for june 12, when the EU Asylum Pact enters into force across Europe.

26-2-2026, 9:17:58:

Law against Shrinkflation

The National Council passed a law to better protect consumers from hidden price increases. Manufacturers will now have to clearly label reduced product quantities so that consumers can immediately see when a product contains less at the same price. The aim is to increase transparency and end the misleading practice known as shrinkflation.

Stability Pact

The new Stability Pact adjusts the financial rules for the federal government, states, and municipalities. From 2029, all public authorities must comply with the EU deficit limit of a maximum of 3%. The pact is intended to improve budgetary discipline, reduce deficits, and align Austrian financial policy more closely with EU requirements.

Ratification of the UN High Seas Protection Agreement

The National Council ratified the UN Agreement on the Protection of the High Seas to fulfill Austria’s obligations in international environmental protection. At the same time, a political resolution was passed calling on the government to oppose the construction of Hungary’s Paks II nuclear power plant. A motion to withdraw from the Energy Charter did not gain a majority.

By Okay Altinisik