Kogler: National Council election at the end of September

“It would be good if the National Council elections took place at the end of September this year,” said Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) in an APA interview. Because turquoise-green is “definitely capable” of “delivering a lot of results”. He would like to see an alliance of constructive parties against the advance of the FPÖ – also for the period after the election.

“I don’t comment on rumors,” said Kogler asked about alleged considerations in the ÖVP to vote in the spring. “There are rumors that several sensible people are behind them – I haven’t been able to discover that many,” said Kogler. “I say what I think makes sense, namely to vote at the end of September as planned.” There is still a lot to do, for example in the ecological conversion of industry and social housing. There has never been a government that, despite the many crises in the environment, has “made as much progress” as this one, and “as long as that is the case, it makes sense for it to continue like this.” Kogler. The Vice Chancellor also recalled what has been achieved so far, for example the valorization of social benefits is “a milestone of the century”, as is the abolition of cold progression.

• Also read: Signa bankruptcy: Kogler for multiplying the penalties for defaulting on the balance sheet

FPÖ is currently leading in all polls

The FPÖ is currently leading in all surveys. Has he already come to terms with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl as chancellor? “I don’t agree with anything that causes harm to Austria. And the danger is massive.” Kickl himself cites Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a role model – media freedom there is “restricted beyond recognition”, the country is being “completely run down” and is “corrupt at the top”, criticized Kogler. “You can imagine how it works with the Blues, with all those Haberers who are always quick to help.”

“This is pure right-wing extremism, and it is dangerous for liberal democracy.” He wants to address this and also hold discussions with other parties, representatives of civil society, religious communities, unions and companies. It is important that those who can offer alternatives treat each other in such a way that they can talk to each other and work together reasonably well during the electoral movement “and especially after an election,” said Kogler. Is this a sign that the Greens want to become part of a government with the SPÖ and ÖVP? We’ll see how the explorations go, “but yes, it’s at least a possibility,” explained Kogler.

Climate protection law is coming

The climate protection law should come in the last months of the current legislative period, assured Kogler once more. He is still confident because all other climate protection measures have “always involved drilling hard boards”, but in the end the results have come. There is agreement within the federal government on the soil protection strategy, but individual federal states are “remaining in a blockade”. The argument that the target value of a maximum of 2.5 hectares of land consumption per day would prevent social housing construction is over Kogler’s View “not applicable” – in total there are already so many areas dedicated that this concern “represents a white lie”.

Green skepticism about abolishing the securities capital gains tax

One of the ÖVP’s concerns from the government program is to abolish the securities capital gains tax and introduce a retention period for shares. The Greens are still “very skeptical” here: The aim should be to ensure that people with lower incomes can make better provision, but there is a danger that “those who already have a lot will be supported.” Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) is familiar with the model of a retirement savings account with a retention period of ten years, after which the money can be withdrawn for retirement savings tax-free Kogler “only from the media”. There are “a few points open in the government program, we are of course looking at all of them, and this is how this proposal from the Finance Minister can be classified”.

The EU elections are coming up in June. Referred to the question of the Green Party’s top candidacy Kogler at the Federal Congress at the end of February. “One thing is certain: that we will have an interesting, strong team.” Applications will run until the end of January and beginning of February, explained Kogler. According to APA information, climate activist Lena Schilling is the favorite for the top candidacy. “I hear or read speculation myself. So I’m happy when Lena Schilling is associated with the Greens or with a candidacy in the EU elections, because of course she really has a lot to show for it.” Schilling is a “young, committed, competent woman in climate protection issues and beyond.” He sat on a podium with her twice, “that was very impressive, the way she appeared and acted, but the question of candidacy is completely different.”

In any case, it is crucial that the candidates take up the debate about Europe: many things that have developed well are at risk, including “liberal democracy in the Union, in the individual member states,” warned Kogler, “because the right-wing extremists are simply attacking.” Everything that has made Europe and Austria great will then no longer be self-evident – this will be “named very clearly” and a “forward perspective” will be offered. The Greens’ goal is to achieve three mandates again.

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