NEOS Leader in Vienna Anticipates Continuation of Coalition with SPÖ

Selma Arapovic, the lead candidate for the NEOS party in Vienna, expressed her hope for a continuation of the coalition with the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) following the upcoming Vienna elections. In a recent interview, the 48-year-old emphasized the positive nature of the collaboration with SPÖ, which she described as having functioned effectively.

Arapovic, who unexpectedly found herself at the top of the NEOS list, noted the dynamic changes within the party after recent national events. Initially, she was positioned second on the list, but after the party leader Christoph Wiederkehr was appointed as Minister of Education, she ascended to the top role, becoming the face of the party in the election.

Despite her relatively low public profile, Arapovic remains confident, reflecting on her early days with NEOS in 2015 when the party was still gaining recognition. She pointed out the significant progress made since then, highlighting the party's current role in the federal government and its governance in Vienna since 2020.

According to Arapovic, the cooperation with SPÖ has been largely constructive, although she acknowledged that there were challenges along the way. She emphasized that the working relationship has been respectful and collaborative, allowing for discussions and compromises that are typical in political environments.

Looking ahead, Arapovic expressed her desire for a renewal of the red-pink coalition, stating that many of the initiatives currently underway require more time to realize their full potential. She indicated that it is in the interest of NEOS to remain in power for another five years to continue their projects, particularly in areas like housing and urban planning.

During her tenure, Arapovic has been actively involved in significant legislative efforts, such as the recent amendments to the building regulations, which were developed and approved through collaborative efforts within the coalition. She also highlighted the introduction of an online government monitor, a first for Austria, which allows residents to track the progress of government initiatives.

As the current term draws to a close, Arapovic identified education as a critical area of focus, noting the challenges faced in improving language skills among primary school students. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and issues surrounding family reunification have put considerable strain on the educational system. Nevertheless, she acknowledged the efforts made to accommodate every child and create sufficient schooling opportunities.

Arapovic pointed out that the classification of numerous students as extraordinary cases, despite their previous attendance at local kindergartens, reflects a shortfall in federal support. She expressed optimism about the recent agreement within the federal government to introduce a second mandatory year of kindergarten, believing it will significantly enhance the situation.

As coalition negotiations approach, Arapovic indicated that budgetary concerns would be a primary topic of discussion. She advocates for identifying consolidation opportunities that do not compromise quality, suggesting that instead of implementing austerity measures, the focus should be on generating additional revenue. This could involve reducing bureaucratic hurdles to strengthen Vienna's standing as a business hub, with the NEOS team at the federal level playing a crucial role in this effort.