Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) spoke extensively about the domestic political situation in Austria on ORF on Sunday. Early elections are therefore not an option. “Our clear target is 2024, fall, as required by law.” Nehammer was not committed to possible future coalition variants – but he defended the path in Lower Austria.
The chancellor denied assumptions that the People’s Party could use the SPÖ crisis for early elections: “I still have a legislature to complete.” The VP chairman does not want to say whether people can continue with the Greens in the near future. First you have to wait for the results of the elections.
SPÖ debt black and blue
The Lower Austrian ÖVP coalition with the Freedom Party defended Nehammer. He pointed out that the SPÖ’s demands were not affordable, but that they would have cost billions: “Then you have to act accordingly, also out of responsibility for the country.”
Provincial Governor Johanna Mil-Leitner had already argued in the same way as the “Krone”.
Corona Fund not on Chancellor
However, he does not see the controversial Corona Fund in Lower Austria as a model for the federal government: “We do not choose this path.” He is concerned with a dialogue process aimed at those for whom the measures are too much or too little: “We want to pick up both groups.” Details should be available after Easter.
“Broaden your horizons” when it comes to care – for example to Morocco
Regarding the labor shortage, Nehammer looks beyond Austrian borders: “We also have to scout.” In addition to the agreement with India on skilled labor in which we are very interested, we will have to “broaden our horizons in nursing”. are.
restrict social benefits
People who have come to Austria illegally must of course be deported. The head of government also defended his proposal to grant benefits only after five years. While he has not committed to any particular benefit, he repeatedly mentioned the minimum income.
From his point of view, it would be legally feasible because no discriminatory rule is planned here. The five years should simply apply to everyone, the waiting time already applies to EU citizens. It is therefore impossible for him to explain why a different method is used for asylum seekers.
Rent control wouldn’t have worked
Nehammer defended that there is no brake on rental costs. 800,000 people in free housing would not have benefited at all from this, he thinks the subsidies that have now been decided are more targeted. On behalf of the coalition partner, MP Nina Tomaselli once again explained in the program “Hohes Haus” that the brakes would have been the much better option for the Greens.
Rely on science when it comes to e-fuels
The press hour was also about cars and the controversial e-fuels: the chancellor wants to discuss the possibilities of financing research with manufacturers at a summit in the coming weeks. He trusts science when it comes to e-fuels. The goal should be to export “our technology” to the markets of the future, he pointed out the rise of climate-damaging coal-fired power stations in China.
No to nuclear power
The Chancellor also rejects France’s push for nuclear energy: “We are clearly against it.” However, he also pointed out that we are in a transitional period. Nuclear energy is also used in Austria.
Nehammer is hesitant to comment on Raiffeisen Bank International’s withdrawal from Russia, as requested by the ECB. In principle, RBI, like all banks, must comply with international laws and regulations. Now we have to wait and see how the decisions are made.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
