Haimbuchner emphasized in an APA interview, who landed in the intensive care unit in the spring, that he was “completely back” after his severe Covid illness. His conclusion: “We know that it is a disease that can be very dangerous, I am the living example of it.” A thorn in his side, however, is the current level of mandatory testing, which he considers unconstitutional. After all, the testing was always justified with the utilization of the intensive care units. In addition, tests would have to remain free in the long term.
“Fundamental advocate of vaccination”
Haimbuchner describes himself as a “fundamental advocate of vaccinations”, but this is a “highly private decision”. He rejects a general vaccination requirement as well as one for teachers. When it comes to nursing staff, for example, he would “not go wrong” if experts were in favor. There is already a measles vaccination obligation in some hospital departments. But that “can only apply to a new job in certain areas,” he emphasized, not to someone who is already in a job.
“Arranged” with Kickl
He has apparently come to terms with Herbert Kickl as federal party leader: “My loyalty has always been to the federal party chairman and the current one can also rely on me.” But he emphasizes: The primary goal of a political force must be to shape it. “But it will be difficult to shape things in the opposition.” He does not believe that a coalition with Kickl is currently difficult to imagine. “In contrast to other competitors, we can present our federal chairman, he is not in danger of being charged and not in danger of being dismantled”.
The compliance set of rules developed under Haimbuchner’s leadership, the presentation of which should actually have taken place at the beginning of the year, is ready. He had given delays due to Corona and because of some concerns about volunteers. “But I think that we will be able to make the relevant decisions in the foreseeable future.” He emphasizes: “This project will be completed. For my part and in Upper Austria, I will in any case complete it.”
State election: goal is 20 percent plus
For the state elections on September 26th, he set the goal of “20 percent plus”. Even if the 30 percent record of 2015 is unlikely to be kept, he is optimistic “at least the second best result” of the Upper Austrian. To be able to reach the FPÖ. If the Freedom Party were to lose a seat of government, as expected, he and Günther Steinkellner would remain in the state government – subject to the committee decisions. Haimbuchner wants to continue working with the ÖVP, which, according to all forecasts, is in the comfortable position of being able to freely choose its coalition partner. Thanks to the existing system of proportional representation, which the FPÖ boss does not want to shake, they will “have to work with us willy-nilly”.
The budget gap caused by Corona can only be filled “if appropriate growth can be generated,” he rebukes a “dogmatic-religious climate movement” – but at the same time emphasizes the importance of the energy transition. However: “Without growth we will not be able to cope with the energy transition and without a sensible energy transition there will be no growth either”.
In general, the Upper Austrian FPÖ seems to have discovered the climate issue for itself. “The goal of becoming independent of fossil fuels is one hundred percent supported by the FPÖ and me too.” However, he expects that “will take decades” and that gas “will be absolutely necessary as a bridging technology beyond 2050”. One should also “not only deal with batteries”, but also support hidden champions in addition to e-mobility, he said.
The FPÖ is currently advertising the topic of security in Upper Austria – the term being given a much wider definition than before. Haimbuchner also includes storm prevention as part of this complex of topics. But anyone who pretends that the abolition of the internal combustion engine can prevent natural disasters is “a cynic”. Here people have contributed a lot “not only in terms of air conditioning”, but also through incorrect spatial planning policy.
If he should venture a look beyond his time as a politician, he sees Upper Austria in 30 years “at the top in competition between the regions, economically at the top, socially secure”, with modern infrastructure and renowned universities, but also “a country that stands out Has preserved its identity “and attracts” scientists from all over the world “, not” soldiers of fortune who seek out the welfare state “.
