As Austria approaches its National Council elections, economic policies are at the forefront of political debates.

The major parties, including ÖVP, FPÖ, SPÖ, Neos, and the Greens, have unveiled their economic programs, each proposing different strategies to address the country's fiscal challenges.

The ÖVP and FPÖ are advocating for significant tax cuts, aiming to reduce the tax burden on both employers and employees.

In contrast, the SPÖ and Greens are pushing for wealth taxes to fund their initiatives, with the SPÖ focusing on a transition towards CO2 neutrality and the Greens emphasizing climate protection.

Meanwhile, the Neos propose a comprehensive pension reform alongside tax reductions.

Despite these promises, Christoph Badelt, President of the Fiscal Council, criticizes the parties' plans as unrealistic, suggesting that post-election realities will necessitate different actions.

As the election date nears, the parties' reliance on expert advice varies, with the SPÖ actively engaging think tanks, while the FPÖ prefers internal consultations.