Chancellor Karl Nehammer is facing calls to resign. Statements by the ÖVP boss, privately recorded on a mobile phone, are currently causing a lot of outrage. In response to the widespread criticism, Nehammer reiterates what he had to answer for.
“Have you seen the discussion on social media about a video of mine?” the Chancellor opened his statement on X (formerly Twitter). As always, Nehammer wears an Austrian pin on his jacket and also stands in front of two flags in a decidedly statesmanlike manner. That of the Republic and that of the European Union.
You can view the entire statement here:
According to his own statement, he recently discussed “some topics” at an event with ÖVP officials. Topics that are important to him. For example, at the meeting in Salzburg, the Chancellor recommended that parents of children at risk of poverty visit McDonald’s fast food restaurants more often. The burgers there are not healthy, but they are cheap.
Nehammer defends his statements
The Chancellor also wondered why women so often work part-time. An overview of all statements can be found here. How does Nehammer today view his rather blunt words, which were apparently made in a private environment? “I believe that performance should be worth it. And I support the fact that parents have a duty of care for their children,” says the ÖVP leader with conviction.
This cell phone recording is about:
He states that self-determination and personal responsibility are important. While Nehammer is “working for this country,” others are apparently already in election campaign mode. “We (the ÖVP comment) believe in what is good for this country. We believe in Austria. And these are not empty words,” the Chancellor emphasizes after the widespread criticism of himself.
He will not allow Austria to be talked down to him. Nehammer then lists again what his government has already achieved for the republic: measures against inflation or the abolition of cold progression, for example. People now have “more net money in their accounts”.
“Bad speakers” should do better
He then addressed the people who felt particularly attacked by his inflammatory speech in Hallein: socially disadvantaged families. “In addition to child benefit and other social benefits, which are now being increased by almost ten percent, socially disadvantaged families will receive 60 euros per person per month,” says Nehammer, outlining his program.
The Chancellor is apparently certain that ‘the bad talkers’ must do better first. Anyone who says that there are no hot meals for children in Austria puts this “country in the wrong light”. And he repeats his words from Hallein: ‘Every child in Austria should get a hot meal.’ But father and mother are responsible for that.
Nehammer believes in Austria
If people are still overwhelmed by the situation despite the points mentioned above, in Austria “the social network, which is financed by working people”, comes into the picture. Nehammer apparently assumes that only people who do not work are affected by inflation.
The Chancellor concluded his statement by saying: “And that is why I believe in Austria. Because we are a supportive and strong community that helps people who need help.”
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.
