Two times 700 million euros for Wien Energie – what Vienna could still buy with this amount: from the hospital to the Lobau tunnel.
Two times 700 million euros. A total of 1.4 billion euros. A number with nine zeros. Mayor Michael Ludwig (SPÖ) approved this gigantic amount in July and August, by emergency decision and outside the city council. As, as he calls it, a protective shield for Wien Energie.
1.4 billion euros is a huge mountain of money even for a metropolis like Vienna. We looked at what you would get for this fortune.
- The construction of Hospital Noord, later renamed Kliniek Floridsdorf, was not entirely free from scandal. The hospital cost 1.346 billion euros. In addition, the city of Vienna could pay the salary of about 18,340 hospital doctors in the community hospitals with the large amount – and that per year. Not to mention the nurses.
- The minimum income is also a big financial bite. In the dual budget for 2022/2023, this is estimated at 1.5 billion euros.
- Vienna’s infrastructure would also benefit from such billions of aid: the Lobau tunnel will cost 1.4 billion euros.
- Would you rather switch to public transport: for this huge amount 140 (!) of the brand new X cars are available for the growing metro network.
- Also: 23 modern education campus locations as an investment in the future.
- Not one, but three new, state-of-the-art national stadiums would also be included in the €1.4 billion.
But maybe all this is still possible. After all, those responsible ensured that the money would flow back.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
