In an interview with the “Vorarlberger Nachrichten”, the head of state shows understanding for the “great concerns” of the citizens about the price development and says: “It is now necessary to help all those who can no longer afford to live. Solidarity and cohesion is the order of the day.”
Inflation summit “good idea”
Van der Bellen considers the summit proposed by Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) to be “a good idea”. The federal government, opposition, provincial governors, social partners and industrialists’ association should “jointly consider measures that will not completely eliminate the price mechanism, but will help people sufficiently.” He also finds the proposal by economic researcher Gabriel Felbermayr for a cap on electricity price bills “very interesting, now we have to consider how this can work”. Even with everyday products and groceries, you will “have to come up with something”.
“The government must react more quickly”
The Federal President criticizes the Federal Government in connection with the communication about the energy crisis. “It has to get better – that’s clear. The government has to react and communicate more quickly, above all it simply has to go further. The population knows that predictions are difficult and that nobody can say exactly what’s coming in these times different scenarios and solution options in order to be prepared,” says Van der Bellen. The goal must be to do everything possible to get Austria through this difficult situation. “The private sector and politics have to work hand in hand here.”
sanctions effective
The Federal President defends the sanctions against Russia and he would not have hoped for a quicker effect: “No, something like this takes time. The sanctions are already having an impact and have contributed to the fact that Russia’s economic output is forecast to fall by nine to ten percent. But that doesn’t seem to bother Putin. The Russian president is waging an imperialist war. If we let that happen, he won’t settle for Ukraine.” The Federal President also shows a connection between the Ukraine war and the climate crisis. Burning fossil fuels not only produces greenhouse gases, but also makes Europe dependent. And that will change together with the European partners.
In connection with Austria’s neutrality, the head of state is demanding more money not only for the army but also for the foreign ministry. “But the next thing is the budget of the Foreign Ministry. A policy of neutrality without enough diplomats will not work in the long term. We would have to invest in upgrading diplomacy and thus strengthening Austria’s reputation in the world.”
The Federal President would like to see the allegations of corruption against the ÖVP cleared up more quickly. The moral image that has revealed itself in the chats is “terrifying for him. I am against any kind of corruption. Now the allegations have to be clarified, that’s no question. And on the one hand I wish for more speed and on the other hand also full cooperation of all those involved.”
Source: Nachrichten
