2024-09-22 11:17:43
Beer Party leader Dominik Wlazny emphasized the seriousness of his ambitions on Sunday in the ORF “Press Hour” and complained about a campaign against him. During the presidential election it was clear that it would be difficult to win the office: “Now it’s a big deal.” In the “Press Hours” before that, Madeleine Petrovic distanced herself from her former party, the Greens, and Communist Party top candidate Tobias Schweiger described real estate expropriations as legitimate.
Three “press hours” were offered to interested viewers on Sunday, during which representatives of the lists not yet represented in the National Council were able to present themselves. The Beer Party is pretty close to entering parliament in the polls. Its leading candidate Wlazny was very confident that he would actually be a politician in a week’s time: “The Beer Party is a party without politicians. That will change fundamentally in seven days.”
Wlazny insisted that he was serious about his party. Otherwise, he could have accepted the offer of other lists for a secure mandate: “I would almost say they ran after me.” The NEOS had shown interest and “Mr. Babler was in my office.” That would have been the easier route to the mandate.
Even though he likes to describe himself as a non-politician, Wlazny pointed to a certain experience: “I am the longest-serving party leader of all.” Wlazny rejected the idea that his party is run like a father-mother-child company as “disrespectful.” He also denied that he had “gagged” his employees. The same applies to accusations that he does not face the media. He has had over 400 media inquiries: “My day also only has 24 hours.”
In terms of content, Wlazny concentrated primarily on the health sector, where he would give doctors more options for home pharmacies, for example. The Beer Party leader would save money by double-tracking the federal and state governments. He would support an inheritance tax if the experts agreed.
KPÖ top candidate Schweiger brought other issues to the fore. For him, “expropriations are entirely legitimate.” He said this on Sunday in the ORF “Press Hour” with regard to large real estate companies. Such a measure could be considered if it is not possible to ensure lower rents in any other way. Schweiger spoke out in favor of a rent cap and more public housing. In climate policy, he wants to focus more on the “social question.”
“We think interventions in rent prices are OK,” said the KPÖ candidate. In addition to upper limits, the communists also want to temporarily suspend rent increases, prohibit fixed-term contracts and take action against vacant properties. Schweiger wanted a “whole package” rather than individual measures on the subject of housing.
He sees the climate crisis as the “greatest challenge of our time”. At the same time, it has “always been a social issue”. People are worried that they will have to bear the costs of necessary changes themselves. The KPÖ does not want to “abolish” CO2 pricing, but is critical of it: Taxation should start where emissions are caused. For example, with the landlord and not with the tenant.
Regarding Russia’s war against Ukraine, Schweiger made it clear: “We have condemned the attack from day one.” However, he is bothered by the prevailing “war logic” in the public debate. The only question is how many weapons are needed. The KPÖ wants to strengthen a “peace perspective” and international organizations.
Former Green Party leader Madeleine Petrovic from the list of the same name had previously used her appearance to distance herself from her former party. Specifically, she accused the Green Party of having portrayed her negatively in an internal paper to officials. She also saw her former party colleagues as having failed in their fundamental rights policy, with the keyword being Corona. When it comes to climate, Petrovic spoke out against doomsday scenarios.
It is “undisputed that people influence their environment,” explained the list leader. But it is wrong to focus only on CO2 and exclude factors such as methane and ammonia. Petrovic directly mentioned agriculture and the arms industry as factors. The situation is very serious, but people in Austria are extremely ecologically motivated.
Petrovic repeatedly brought up the issue of the corona vaccination, where the mandatory vaccination had essentially accelerated her separation from the Greens. She called the billion for flood victims modest when 5.2 billion had been spent on corona tests. Petrovic also reported on “serious” vaccine damage. At least she conceded that there are vaccinations that are recommended – albeit only with extensive information.
Petrovic was relatively liberal when it came to asylum policy. She wants to focus more on an embassy procedure (which is to be reintroduced). In addition, asylum seekers should be allowed to work after around six months if the administration does not manage to complete the procedure by then. They should be trained in occupations where there is a shortage of skilled workers, if possible.
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