The ÖVP push for a new vacancy and second home tax is making waves politically: While Neos regional councilor and coalition partner Andrea Klambauer is rowing back just one day after her harsh criticism, the opposition is now taking a stand. The SPÖ, for example, wants to support the black bill.
This turnaround was, to be honest, hardly to be expected: On Thursday, Neos regional councilor Andrea Klambauer strongly criticized the draft for the new “Second Home and Vacancy Tax Act”. The ÖVP proposal, which for example provides for a vacancy tax of 780 euros for a vacant 100 square meter apartment, is a “pseudo solution”.
This only increases the bureaucratic effort without mobilizing a single apartment for the market. In addition, it is also unclear, for example, how many remain vacant – without a registration, there is no need to discuss the levy. On Friday, the housing councilor wanted to know little more about it. “That was an initial reaction, we still have to discuss internally in order to find a position,” says Klambauer.
Meanwhile, the SPÖ wants to score: they welcome the fact that their own long-standing demand is being implemented, even if there is still some need for discussion. “We are available as partners when there is friction in the coalition,” says SPÖ housing spokesman Roland Meisl.