Austrian Pension Age Proposal Stirs Tension in ÖVP Ranks

Austrian politician Anton Mattle's proposal to raise the pension age has caused irritation within his own party, the ÖVP, as the federal leadership prioritizes other reforms. Mattle, the governor of Tyrol, suggests pensions should only be available at age 65 after 45 working years, a plan criticized by the SPÖ but welcomed by the Neos. The federal party emphasizes strengthening occupational and private pension provisions instead. The proposal is seen as a possible individual profile-building move ahead of Tyrol's 2027 election, with other state leaders declining to comment. Raising the statutory retirement age is not part of the current government program.