For the Viennese self-made millionaire Gerald Hörhan it is clear: “There is only the gutter or the top.” People “enslave themselves,” according to Hörhan – and therefore “it is their own fault if they are poor.” In an interview with Conny Winiwarter, he also discusses left-wing politics: ‘A tax on the rich is not a solution, but rather an attack by the state on those who already pay the most taxes.’ He also has a clear position. opinion on cash: it could be abolished.
“We don’t have a left-wing dictatorship yet,” says Hörhan in his usual provocative manner. A wealth tax, which the SPÖ is currently actively trying to introduce, is “complete nonsense” and will only lead to capital draining away. There would then be no incentive to make an effort. “Such laws are anti-business and unfair,” the investment banker said.
What left-wing politics is doing wrong…
Because: ‘The top two percent already pay the most taxes.’ What left-wing politics is doing wrong, according to the entrepreneur: ‘It does not want to increase the income pie, but only redistribute it.’ This blocks entrepreneurial progress – “and at a certain point there is nothing left to distribute.”
‘The government must help companies make more profits’
For Hörhan, simply taxing and taking away is not a solution, but rather “a robbery by the state”. His solution: “The state should help entrepreneurs make more profits, so that they pay more taxes. And it should help companies create more jobs.” Then too, tax revenues bubble up: namely those from payroll taxes and income taxes.
Rent limit? “Takes us back to the GDR times”
The Harvard graduate does not believe in rent regulation or a rent cap at all: this would neither create new jobs nor build apartments. “A rent ceiling takes us back to the GDR times. The market always finds its way,” warns Hörhan. The result is the opposite of what we want: prices rise.
‘Cash can be abolished in the medium term’
Hörhan is also making sure people sit up and take note of his views on cash: “Cash will be restricted.” – and may even be completely abolished in the medium term: “Step by step our freedom will be taken away from us.”
You’ll see plenty more juicy reviews and analysis in the video above. Will cash be abolished? What do you think of a wealth tax? Comment with us!
We explain what Austria is currently dealing with: the latest news conversations with politicians and experts.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
