Beery Prospects – Wlazny: “We are a danger to the others”

Dominik Wlazny is pretty sure he will soon be a ‘real’ politician. There are elections on Sunday and the Beer Party, founded as a satirical project, could make it into parliament. The election campaign is tiring, especially since a new organisation has to be built from scratch. There have been dozens of interviews in the past few months. Even the FAZ and the New York Times were on board. Despite recent falling opinion polls. “But the popularity is still high, we noticed that during our tour of the country. That brings us a lot.” Polls and media coverage have developed their own dynamics. “But I don’t base my politics on that. But if they confirm that we can move in, then I’ll be happy.”

There is criticism of the party’s lack of content. Wlazny always uses the word ‘menu’ here, which is constantly being developed. “It’s a process; on election day we won’t be finished with embellishing all the problems with our positioning. Other parties also presented their programs too late.”

The path to the goal leads from regular meetings to experts. That takes time. Still, there are burning questions. What does beer think about migration? Wlazny: “German courses. People have to learn the language. That is the key for us. Asylum seekers are currently not entitled to German courses. So you shouldn’t be surprised.” Many people are in favor of German courses, including ÖVP Minister Susanne Raab. “When Mrs Raab says that, I say that the ÖVP has been in government for 37 years. Why has so much been missed?”

“Don’t vote for every blade of grass”
Or pensions: “A huge chunk. We need to reform, experts also say. Those who are allowed or want to work longer should do so. But those who can no longer do so no longer have to.” Female earners should not be allowed to live below the minimum threshold and we must also ensure that young people also have a pension. I would like to have all the facts on the table and a common solution. But you have to get people involved. That is what the beer festival does, says Wlazny. More direct democracy? “Not like in Switzerland, where every blade of grass is voted on. But we must use human councils for difficult issues. Free from politicians.”

Hot topic of wealth and inheritance taxes. Again, no concrete answer: “One thing is certain: Austria is a high-tax country. The question is: where does the coal seep away? If it turns out that this or that tax was necessary, then we can talk about it. It has to do something for us. As long as that is not clear, it is a populist debate.” France, for example, has abolished its extremely high wealth tax because so many people have moved abroad.

Contrary to the “PR accusation”
If the Beer Party were to enter parliament, who would you not want to work with? “It is important to talk to everyone. However, I have never heard a constructive solution proposal from Herbert Kickl.”

The Beer Party was recently accused of being a purely family business, also to promote its own non-political projects. Nothing works without a father. “If you want to build something like this, you need people you trust 100 percent. My father has always supported me.” Is the Beer Party just a PR tool for rock musician Wlazny alias Marco Pogo and his beer brand and band “Turbobier”? “It was crystal clear to me that these attacks would come. Because we are a danger to others. When a new force comes in, others have to go. I can say this about PR. Promoting your products would be the worst version of doing that as a politician.”

The finances are at least such that they can manage the election campaign. There are not yet 20,000 members. That is why you can hardly afford election posters. “They are also stolen because there are so few,” laughs the medical graduate. There are also prominent supporters – but they do not want to mention names. Much remains in the dark. One thing is certain, however the elections turn out. “I will always remain a musician.”