Disputes about direction, the Sachslehner cause, a dispute with the president of the Chamber of Commerce. What’s going on with the Viennese ÖVP? Party leader Karl Mahrer in the “Krone” interview – on “distribution fantasies”, the climate bonus for asylum seekers, Wien Energie, on whether healthy long-term unemployed should be forced to take jobs and how common sense saves energy. And: A coffee is not a crime.
„krone“: The verdict was handed down by Walter Ruck, president of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce: “I don’t care who the Viennese ÖVP boss is under me.” mr. Mahrer, does it matter who does your job?
Karl Mahrer: I am the chairman of the People’s Party in Vienna and Walter Ruck has a problem because he has to master a balancing act. On the one hand, he is chairman of the Economic Chamber in Vienna, so he must get along well with the mayor. But he is also the head of the economic association in the ÖVP, and just because he is, he is given the mandate to be chamber president. I accept that, but I also demand his loyalty to the ÖVP. The conversations I recently had with him make me no longer doubt that.
Recently, a remarkable situation arose. While the Viennese ÖVP rejects the mayor’s aid payments to Wien Energie, Michael Ludwig von Ruck backs them. In the finance committee on this subject, two deputies who also hold positions in the Chamber of Commerce did not vote against Ludwig because of their loyalty to Ruck and lack of loyalty to you. An obvious insult to you. What are the consequences of this incident?
In the dynamics of events, there were one or two communication misunderstandings. The consequences are conversations that are being held now. And I can assure you that all MPs of the ÖVP in Vienna are pursuing the goal together, and that is the creation of the Commission of Inquiry and an extensive investigation into what I consider to be the largest financial SPÖ scandal in the history of Vienna in which Wien was involved. Energy.
Then there was the Sachslehner case. After their relentless criticism of their own party and therefore of the Chancellor, several people in your party have sided with the former Secretary General. You, on the other hand, stand out for your special loyalty to Karl Nehammer and your praise for the federal government. Is the party split?
If you develop fantasies of division, that’s up to you. The way Laura Sachslehner left federal politics and her position as secretary general and attacked the People’s Party is not right. In a conversation with Laura Sachslehner on Monday, I made it clear on the one hand that I was dissatisfied with the way she left the party, and on the other that we also felt that we had a unanimous position on the party’s values.
Are you for or against the climate bonus for asylum seekers?
So I am not happy with the solution of the climate bonus for asylum seekers, but I am also loyal to the pact.
Why aren’t you happy with that?
Because for many people it means that people who have not yet contributed to the social system in Austria receive a benefit that is now significantly higher in amount than was originally agreed.
Thousands of dead get the bonus. What is their current performance?
I think it’s important for the people who need the money now that the process is unbureaucratic. The opposite of a quick fix would be a payment method worked out with lawyers over the course of months. I think, rightly so, people wouldn’t like that either.
Let’s come to the case of Wien Energie. What would you have done differently as mayor?
It is essential that transparency within the coalition, transparency to the opposition and also transparency to the federal government should have been used as an essential stylistic device from the outset. In contrast, the SPÖ “We are we” system has been preserved. I am convinced that people feel that the SPÖ is acting aloof and has long since left the people.
No talks with the opposition, no talks with other governments. Isn’t this aloofness you quoted exactly the Sebastian Kurz system?
You can’t compare that at all. We are talking about a risk of up to ten billion euros. The SPÖ has this responsibility, as does its coalition partner NEOS, which is simply an appendage to the sole government of the SPÖ. I am convinced that the investigations now launched by the Public Prosecution Service for Economic Affairs and Corruption will bring the truth to light.
An investigation is not a judgement. You should know that. Because the WKStA is also investigating you as a suspect in the Wienwert case. It is said to be payments to your wife of no equivalent value and “Karl’s fee”.
The current state of affairs is that a few months ago I presented my view at length and refuted the baseless allegations. But I also ask for your understanding that, out of respect for the judiciary, I will not make any further comments until the work is completed.
As soon as the cause of Wien Energie became known, new chats against the turquoise system leaked out. Do you generally believe in coincidence?
I’ve given up belief in coincidences for the past few years. In the end, the truth always comes out.
Let’s move on to other topics. Where in the city do you no longer feel safe?
That depends on several factors. Many Viennese tell me about uncertain areas, for example in Favoriten around Quellenplatz, around Keplerplatz and around Favoritenstrasse. I have also looked at some myself, for example in the vicinity of the U6 station Josefstädter Straße, but also the station Gumpendorfer Straße in connection with the day center Jedmayer there.
Should the long-term unemployed who do not want to work but can because of their health, be obliged to do certain jobs, especially in times of staff shortages?
Let’s wait for the labor market reform of Minister Martin Kocher. Ultimately, however, we will have to consider linking social benefits to certain work performance if these people are health-technically capable of doing so.
Where do you save energy?
I’ve been saving energy for a long time just by paying attention to what I’m doing around the house. For example, if I see a light in a room when I’m not inside. I think you can do a lot with common sense to save energy.
In conclusion: Is it true that shortly before the Wien-Energie causa came to light, you were on holiday in Jesolo with Minister of Finance Peter Hanke of the SPÖ?
No, we just had coffee. Many people meet in Jesolo. Incidentally, FPÖ leader Dominik Nepp was also in Jesolo, but unfortunately I found out too late.
So you met Hanke by chance in Jesolo, even though you don’t believe in coincidence?
I think it suffice to say that I met one person for coffee. This is not a crime.
Source: Krone
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