Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) defended the approved housing subsidy in the “ZiB 2” on Wednesday evening. At the same time, he admitted that this, in combination with rent control, would have been the better solution. In addition, in an interview with Armin Wolf, he spoke about social assistance and “basement Nazis”.
Of course, the Vice-Chancellor did not refer to voters in Lower Austria by “Kellernazis”, but by top FPÖ officials. In the past they had been caught with anti-Semitic songbooks or given the Hitler salute. He could not understand people who approved of that, Werner Kogler said in the “ZiB 2” interview on Wednesday evening.
Just a few days ago, the Vice Chancellor in the “Krone” criticized Lower Austria Vice Governor Udo Landbauer and Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner for mocking and acting irresponsibly for earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria (Landbauer) (Mikl -Leitner). Landbauer’s corresponding Facebook post showed racist leanings, Kogler said.
“Shouldn’t blame each other so often”
On the other hand, he may take a different position on other issues such as the (failed) rent brake or the climate protection law, which is still a long time coming. Politicians should stop accusing each other so much and think about it more. The new housing costs allowance is a “huge improvement” and “a good solution” because it can add up, especially for those on a low income. A rent brake would not have led to this, since people with a high income would also have used it. This result is better than no result at all and should not be called bad.
However, the politician countered that both together would have been the best solution, namely a rent brake for benchmark rents and a subsidy for all other tenants. As is well known, the ÖVP was against a rent brake, which, according to estimates, could have tempered inflation. Instead, there should be about 200 euros per household in Austria. Incidentally, the Vice Chancellor attributes the fact that inflation remains high to rising net wages and pensions, among other things.
maintain social assistance
A proposal by Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) was also briefly mentioned in the “ZiB 2” interview. In a speech, he said that people should only be entitled to social benefits in Austria after five years of residence. Kogler can’t make out any of that. “The (Geneva, note) Refugee Convention is right,” such a proposal would turn the social system completely upside down. Denmark, which is visiting the Chancellor, would have a completely different system. Unlike Austria, Union rules are not widely enforced there.
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.
