Vienna’s coalition plots economic revival with jobs and growth at stake

A one-day retreat could redefine Vienna’s future. With record employment at risk, leaders race to secure growth—and jobs—for the city’s next chapter.

, and Administrator

2026 January 18 . 5:44 PM

1 min read

The image shows an old map of the city of Vienna, Austria, with a person standing in the center.... — The image shows an old map of the city of Vienna, Austria, with a person standing in the center. The map is detailed and shows the various streets, buildings, and other landmarks of the area. The text on the paper provides additional information about the map, such as the names of the cities and the boundaries of the streets.

Vienna’s coalition plots economic revival with jobs and growth at stake

Vienna’s governing coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and NEOS will gather next Friday for a one-day economic retreat at City Hall. The event, held under the slogan ‘Strong Economy—Strong Vienna’, aims to shape policies for growth and employment over the coming years. Both parties have rebranded their partnership as the ‘Recovery Coalition’ for the 2025–2030 term.

The closed-door discussions will centre on boosting Vienna’s economic performance and job market. Mayor Michael Ludwig highlighted the city’s record employment rate and unbroken growth, but called for more action to support businesses and maintain living standards. Education Councilor and Deputy Mayor Bettina Emmerling (NEOS) added that strong education policies would play a key role in fostering a stable business environment.

Last year’s retreat led to an unexpected announcement: the decision to move Vienna’s municipal elections from autumn to April. This time, the coalition plans to present its findings to the media after the session. The renewed SPÖ-NEOS alliance has placed economic recovery at the heart of its agenda. Their joint programme focuses on reinforcing Vienna’s position as a leading economic hub in Central Europe.

The retreat’s outcomes will outline specific measures to drive growth and employment in the city. Vienna’s coalition leaders aim to build on the capital’s recent economic success while addressing challenges ahead. A public announcement of the results is expected shortly after the meeting.