In the last krone.tv summer talk of the year, NEOS boss Beate Meinl-Reisinger answers questions from Jana Pasching and Gerhard Koller. The focus is on the topics of education, economy and future coalition options after Sunday’s National Council elections.
Right at the beginning of the conversation, the Neos boss gives the current turquoise-green government a bad report: “Structural problems have not been addressed. As a force for reform, we want to ensure that the somewhat outdated SPÖ and ÖVP parties finally respond to the demands of SPÖ leader Andreas Babler for a new wealth tax (vulgo ‘rich tax’, comment) She immediately gives a clear rejection: “The super-rich will be gone.”
When it comes to education, she makes a clear demand: “We need 20,000 more teachers. That must be the first thing we do when we get into government. When it comes to German, we must demand more and not just encourage it. The last major school reform took place in 1962 – that was when the last gas lamp in Vienna was turned off. Nothing of note has happened since then.” From the NEOS boss’s point of view, there is a general need for more freedom in schools: “More freedom for teachers and principals to make decisions.” “The best people should become teachers. And not those who feel like it.”
Pension reforms are inevitable
Very open words on the subject of economy: “I am the only one who says that savings have to be made. We control every cent that is spent. And prohibit double and triple financing. And there is one point without which it will not work in the long term, and that is the pension reform.” Meinl-Reisinger’s view of the general economic situation is sobering: “We are in an evaluation. We are currently getting poorer and the mountain of debt is growing. Anyone who can do math knows that pensions are not worth it. But the boys must be able to rely on them. I am very concerned about the economic development of Austria – and Europe. Our approach: Wage costs must be reduced, so that the costs for employers are reduced and more remains with the citizens.”
Reformer Neos?
According to Meinl-Reisinger, the question of how to get the economy going again should start with bureaucracy: “The bureaucracy here is incredibly homegrown. We cannot continue like this. For example, if the authorities fail to approve something within a reasonable period of time – perhaps six months – then consider it approved! And I am against a 32-hour work week for everyone. The state must make a new effort, the government must make a new effort, but we must all make a new effort. Taxes must be reduced, then the work is worth it.”
View on other parties
Meinl-Reisinger: “We are the force for reform and show the greatest chance for reform. But yes, in some things the FPÖ also has no bad ideas.” Looking at the ÖVP and their debate on values: “It is not decisive for the war whether immigrants go to the beer tent and wear a dirndl.” When asked how they generally spend their time in politics, she formulated her conclusion with a smile: “Sometimes politics really is a bad crime story. But we will write a better script for the coming years.”
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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.
