The Austrian view of the start of the year: a third are confident, a third are skeptical and 27 percent are worried. Are you right, the skeptics, the glass-half-empty seers? Seven Krone columnists and editor-in-chief Klaus Herrmann dare to look into the economic and political crystal ball.
On the one hand, the past year was sad enough: war in Ukraine and the Middle East, natural disasters and the black hole in our country – both domestic and budgetary. On the other hand, things could get even worse in 2025: what if the war in Ukraine escalates? What if Trump starts a trade war against the EU? While the situation with our German neighbors is serious but not hopeless, the trained Austrian knows that in this country it is hopeless but not serious. So we will get through 2025 with gallows humor.
2024 took a toll on the people of this country: it was marked by crises and wars, declining prosperity and elections whose political aftermath left many disappointed. A year of farewell: Brigitte Bierlein, Hannes Androsch and Josef Taus have left us, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn is about to retire. When things change, uncertainty grows. But “there is magic in every beginning,” writes Hermann Hesse about new beginnings. We give the new year a chance with confidence and trust.
There will be no easy way out of the downward spiral, even if politicians are keen to hide this truth. When the economy weakens, there is a lack of tax revenue – so there is nothing to distribute. However, this is not the only construction site in the country. For a better future, we need a lot of foresight now that goes beyond the ideological lens. Because neither the leftist mantra of Robin Hood politics nor the conservative narrative that economic growth solves all problems is the only key to getting the country back on the path to success.
World disorder in 2025 will be determined by the crack of the whip in the White House. This applies to both the war in Ukraine and the internal transformation of the US from a democracy to an oligarchy (rule by the super-rich). Israel has created new conditions in the Middle East, but this does not guarantee a peaceful future. With Friedrich Merz, Germany will have a government led by the CDU/CSU, probably with the SPD (without Scholz). It would have the chance to restore stability in Austria’s large neighbor.
For ten years, the illiberal left in the West has tried to dictate discussions in all areas of life with their political correctness. A supposedly intellectual elite had hijacked everyday life and made it uncomfortable with its moral standards. The result: the triumph of the illiberal right in parts of Europe and the US. This is called a Pyrrhic victory. With the right-left-central government, the ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos in Austria could now become trendsetters of a new reason. Provided that the three parties do it sensibly.
If it becomes clear in 2025 that the climate crisis, social problems and the economic crisis can only be solved together, that would be real progress. This also includes efforts for peace. For example, instead of armaments, investments should be made in education, in the development of sustainable economic sectors including the necessary retraining, in the restoration of destroyed nature and in preventive climate protection. Prudence and foresight are in greater demand in the new year than ever before.
“It’s the economy, stupid,” Bill Clinton said during the 1992 campaign. When the economy does better, everyone does better, even the government. That is the task of the future: to restore confidence in Austria as a location with measures such as tax cuts and debureaucratization. This is the only way to invest, hire and build wealth. The private money would be there, but it just isn’t being spent. Cynics joke about concepts such as trust and optimism in politics. Without spreading this, Austria’s comeback will not be successful.
The Austrian view of the year starting today: a third are confident, a third are skeptical and 27 percent are concerned (the rest: undecided). This has been established by the IMAS institute, which has been conducting these studies since 1972. In a long-term comparison, the result remains “undercooled”, but the mood among Austrians is slightly more positive than in recent years.
Of course, there remains plenty of reason for concern and skepticism – just read the expectations of seven of our columnists.
What do children from all over Austria want for 2025? 12-year-old Dominik from Erlauf in Lower Austria hopes “that these wars in the world will finally stop and that we humans will talk to each other more again.” Marie-Thérès from Eisenstadt (also 12) would like to see “people simply argue less and instead stick together more.” Are these naive childhood wishes? No, they are legitimate wishes, yes demands!
Equally justified is the demand for our politicians to finally understand, take seriously and alleviate the concerns and fears of Austrians.
Can that work? “Hope dies last” is a somewhat hackneyed saying. But it’s true.
Happy New Year’s Day, a good 2025 with your “crown”!
Source: Krone
I am George Kunkel, an author working for Today Times Live. I specialize in opinion pieces and cover stories that are both informative and thought-provoking – helping to shape public discourse on key issues. My work is regularly featured across the network’s many platforms, including print media and social media.
