The doctor’s suicide shocks many. Can we go back to the agenda?
WILFRIED HASLAUER: No. It’s been a long time since you can go back to business as usual. Society has drifted apart with a simultaneous radicalization of language. Everyone can find their own echo chamber on social media. When the Federal President visited Salzburg, a gallows for politicians was carried along. There’s a red line crossed.
What is the reason?
The radicalization of language has its roots in the tonality of politics. There is no stopping, no limit anymore. When you see how an MFG expresses itself, you have to turn away in horror. A lot of people tell me they don’t watch the National Council broadcast anymore because it just disgusts them. We are going into a two-thirds society. Two thirds support the system, one third withdraws.
Inflation is flying in our face. Were the sanctions a mistake?
The Federal President has taken a clear position. Of course the sanctions hit us. The question is: Can you accept all this? Nobody thought a conventional war of aggression in Europe was possible. If one were to give up Ukraine in our economic interests and say that the West has spheres of influence and so does the East, the question arises: Who is Putin’s next victim? The Baltics?
Some think that pressure should be put on Kyiv to ease inflation and gas shortages. What do you make of it?
Nothing. I am very much in favor of ending dying, it must always be freedom with dignity. I could imagine a truce being sought.
What do we have to be prepared for in winter?
The winter will not be so problem-free so far. I’m not a fan of doomsday scenarios. We have overcome incredible crises in the last 50 years. My saying is, the end of the world has still disappointed its prophets. It won’t be easy, but it’s manageable.
But the price explosion is a huge one?
It’s not so much the winter that gives me headaches, but the coming year. The energy companies always pass on the prices a year later. In 2021, a kilowatt hour was bought for 8.5 cents, now the price on the stock exchange is 40 cents.
What can politics do?
It’s good that the government is providing social cushioning, you have to get to the root of the problem. It’s difficult with gas, but you can definitely do something with electricity. It makes no economic sense for a group like Verbund to make a profit of five billion, people pay it and our companies collapse.
What would be your approach?
Currently, energy companies have to sell the comparatively cheaply produced renewable energy at normal prices. It should be discussed whether the difference should be subject to a levy to support the price of electricity. It’s about households and businesses. One should not skim off the profits with dividend payments, but in some other way.
And with the fuel?
There was an EU study in March that showed the oil companies were doing very well. One should think about price regulation, where one looks at: At what price do the oil companies buy? How much do refineries cost? If there are still big profits, you should consider whether you should put a stop to it in time. The Greens don’t like that (editor’s note: low gas prices), but people don’t drive less cars now than they used to.
The Federal President has asked the government to work. Is she working too little?
This is due to the election campaign of the Federal President. We work quite a lot.
He probably meant the covenant?
The federal government is also working, it is not necessary for him to ask them to work. It would be good if the formation of opinion within the coalition proceeded more quickly and if the coalition gave a stronger sign of determination. The federal government has decided on a 28 billion package. There is still a lot that can be improved in terms of communication.
The ÖVP is in polls at 22 percent. Why is that?
On the one hand, there is a barrage of corruption allegations fueled by the committee of inquiry. Nothing has come out yet. I resist with all determination that 600,000 ÖVP members should be corrupt. I’m not corrupt either, I don’t let that be attached to me either. The pandemic with its many imponderables was a difficult situation. Now no one knows where the journey is going. No one can tell them how the war will end, whether the Russians will turn off the gas. That affects those in government, the Greens are not doing particularly well either.
Do what you have to do?
no Keep working calmly, don’t let yourself be made nervous, do what is necessary. Sebastian Kurz has always been accused of acting in a PR way and announcing things too quickly. That’s not good, but talking too little about it isn’t good either.
Salzburg votes in spring. In 2018 you had a tailwind thanks to Kurz, now a headwind.
This is the normal state. I’m concentrating on Salzburg.
normal state? Is the ÖVP back where it was under Spindelegger, Proll, Molterer?
That doesn’t change my loyalty to the Federal Chancellor and the federal party. It’s a difficult situation. Show who can do better.
In Tyrol and Lower Austria, where there are also elections, people are much more nervous.
That goes against my nature.
Last question: will you vote for Van der Bellen?
I, yes!
The ÖVP should make an election recommendation, right?
No, I believe that every voter is mature enough to know who to vote for.
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