A short day in Rome, then everyday life in Vienna is back on the agenda – in other words, the election campaign awaits. While his six competitors in the Hofburg elections have to fill in every possible interview to raise their level of awareness, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen can elegantly use the international stage.
Rome this week. The Queen’s funeral in London next week. Then it’s off to the UN General Conference in New York. International glamor instead of national frustration – a bonus that Van der Bellen uses despite the election campaign.
Door opener for top companies
“The performances abroad are a clear differentiator for the other candidates. The domestic political landscape is also uncomfortable for Van der Bellen because it fuels general frustration,” said political expert Thomas Hofer, explaining the value of these trips.
In order to interrupt the election campaign as quickly as possible, the trips are tightly organised. In Rome, the Federal President acts as a door opener for the green economy. Joined by WKO President Harald Mahrer and a top-notch corporate delegation – including the innovative genius Helmut List, the CEO of AVL List in Graz (motor drive research).
Surprised by concrete economic cooperation
The highlight was the meeting between energy giant Enel and the business leaders. With 15.7 million customers, the Enel Group is Italy’s number 1 in electricity generation and distribution. “The appointment was not just any coffee party, but there is genuine interest in know-how from Austria,” concludes Van der Bellen. AVL boss List was also surprised at how concretely the Italians think about economic cooperation.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella focused on the exorbitant gas price. Mahrer: “Across Europe, it is finally recognized that gas prices need to be limited. There is movement.” In addition, Van der Bellen does not see a possible victory for the right-wing populist politician Giorgia Meloni in the parliamentary elections in Italy on September 25. “In terms of European policy, we do not have to panic if Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia party win the election,” the president said.
“From my discussions at the political level, I have the impression that everyone expects Fratelli d’Italia to become the first party and Giorgia Meloni to become prime minister. Although Fratelli d’Italia is a right-wing party, it does not represent the views of other jurisdictions in Europe. The group is transatlantic, resists the Russian attack on Ukraine and there are no signs that it wants to leave European solidarity,” Van der Bellen emphasized in Rome.
Source: Krone
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