Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (VP) was the fifth and final guest at this year’s ORF Summer Talks in Traunkirchen on Monday. “Why are you so sure that there will be no need for an austerity package after the election?”, moderator Martin Thür began the interview.
Nehammer spoke of how it was a matter of dividing up the budget cake differently and making it bigger – a wasp buzzed through the picture in keeping with this. Nehammer did not see the need for an austerity package today either; instead, he wants to move away from structural subsidies and towards tax credits to ease the budget. Incentives are needed to ensure that investments are made, he said. Despite repeated inquiries, the VP federal party chairman failed to provide any concrete examples of where he wanted to cut subsidies.
Of asylum and smugglers
From the budget, the discussion moved on to inflation and its mitigation. Nehammer referred, among other things, to the rent cap. “We must strive to ensure that Austria does not end up at a competitive disadvantage,” he said, citing the need to reduce non-wage labor costs. The full-time bonus was also discussed.
“With me, there will be no abolition of the diesel privilege,” said Nehammer, taking a clear position on the climate plan – and thereby opposing Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), who, as reported, sees great potential in it for reducing CO2 consumption. Nehammer was convinced that an abolition would be detrimental to the business location and to people who depend on cars.
He again urged that asylum procedures be carried out in safe third countries. This would break the people smugglers’ business model and reduce the pressure on Europe’s external borders, he repeated well-known VP positions.
Kickl, fear and conspiracy theories
Nehammer became slightly emotional when it came to the Pilnacek case and alleged influence by the ÖVP, and he also rejected any general suspicion of Austrian officials. The ÖVP’s proposal for a new head of the public prosecutor’s office has been submitted, and Nehammer believes that it is up to the Green Justice Ministry.
Nehammer’s rejection of FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl gave a clear indication that Kickl’s motivations were fear and conspiracy theories. The FPÖ itself was a heterogeneous party, however, and was not so strict in its further demarcation. The ÖVP’s goal as a centrist force was clear, Nehammer said, reiterating its aim of coming first in the National Council elections.
Author
Julia Popovsky
Editor State and Domestic Politics
Julia Popovsky
