2024-11-16 07:47:00
As the Standard reports today, the WKO‘s advertising expenditure is still on record: all parts of the WKO’s organization separately registered with the RTR spent a collective 17.3 million euros on advertising in the first half of 2024. Among other things, this financed campaigns along the party program of the People’s Party, which is close to the ÖVP Economic Association. The green economy has been sharply criticizing the exorbitant level of advertising costs for years.
While the WKO spent almost 18 million euros in advertising costs for the entire year in 2023, an expanded disclosure requirement that now comes into force shows the true extent of the chambers’ advertising volume for the first half of the year with 17.3 million euros for the first half of the year.
Sabine Jungwirth, federal spokeswoman for the Green Economy:
“To so blatantly dip into the cash register during election campaigns and thus unilaterally cross-finance the ÖVP’s policies is like a scandal. Especially when campaign content idealizes long-outdated technologies.”
Questionable campaign content at the expense of mandatory members
In 2024, for example, the WKO advertised campaigns to support the car referendum or to promote “technological openness” towards highly controversial e-fuels for cars and liquid fuels for heat generation.
It is important to question whether the entrepreneurs represented by the Chamber of Commerce agree to this use of their mandatory membership fees. Especially when the advertising content of the ÖVP-Wirtschaftsbund-led chamber can hardly be distinguished from election advertising from the associated People’s Party.
Green business calls for more transparency in the chamber
As the opposition in the Chamber of Commerce, the Green Economy is calling for a reduction in advertising costs, more transparency in the use of funds generated from mandatory membership fees and a differentiation in content from the ÖVP, which is close to the organization.
Sabine Jungwirth, federal spokeswoman for the Green Economy:
“Austrian entrepreneurs expect the WKO to use resources sensibly and economically to address their actual challenges!”
Those interested can find the detailed evaluations of the RTR data registered by the WKO on the “WK-Glasklar” portal of the Green Economy.
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What measures can be taken to ensure that public funds are not used to support individual political party agendas in the future?
**Interview with Sabine Jungwirth, Federal Spokeswoman for the Green Economy**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Sabine. The recent report highlights a substantial amount spent by the WKO on advertising in the first half of 2024. How do you respond to the reported 17.3 million euros spent, particularly in connection to the ÖVP party program?
**Sabine Jungwirth:** Thank you for having me. The figures are indeed shocking. To spend 17.3 million euros in just six months, especially with the clear intent to bolster the ÖVP’s economic agenda, is incredibly troubling. It raises serious questions about the integrity of our economic chambers and their role in a democratic society.
**Editor:** You mentioned earlier that this spending could be seen as a scandal. Can you elaborate on why you feel so strongly about this?
**Sabine Jungwirth:** Absolutely. This is not just about numbers; it’s about the ethics of our institutions. When public funds are used to finance a political party’s campaign—especially during election periods—it undermines the principle of fair political competition. It creates an uneven playing field and erodes public trust.
**Editor:** The WKO argues that this spending is essential for promoting economic stability and growth. What’s your position on this argument?
**Sabine Jungwirth:** While we all want to promote economic stability, the means of doing so matter. Targeted and responsible marketing that reflects diverse economic interests is important. However, using such an exorbitant budget primarily to support one political narrative is not the way to achieve that. It alienates large sectors of our economy, particularly those aligned with sustainability and environmental responsibility.
**Editor:** You mentioned the expanded disclosure requirements that have recently come into effect. How do you think this will impact transparency in advertising spending?
**Sabine Jungwirth:** Increased transparency is certainly a step in the right direction. It allows the public to see how much money is being spent and where it goes. We’ll need to keep pushing for stricter regulations to ensure that such spending is not only transparent but also justified. The public deserves to know how their money is being utilized.
**Editor:** What are your next steps in addressing this issue?
**Sabine Jungwirth:** We intend to continue raising awareness about these practices and advocate for reform. We’re calling for a thorough examination of the WKO’s finances and greater accountability to the public. It’s crucial that all stakeholders in the economy, including smaller businesses and those championing green initiatives, get a fair chance without excessive financial influence from powerful organizations.
**Editor:** Thank you, Sabine, for sharing your insights. We look forward to seeing how this issue evolves.
**Sabine Jungwirth:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we keep these conversations going.
