Viennese ÖVP councilor Laura Sachslehner often says openly what others only say behind closed doors. This was also the case in the krone.tv interview with questions about the possible future three-party coalition or asylum issues.
“It can only work if the SPÖ deviates from the left-wing course under Andreas Babler. If you read the SPÖ election manifesto, it looks more like a communist manifesto than the program of a party that actually wants to take on government responsibility,” says Laura Sachslehner.
But from Sachslehner’s point of view, the NEOS would also act too far to the left: “For example with Christoph Wiederkehr, who does not really excel with his performance in Vienna. To put it diplomatically.” Sachslehner sees the fact that ÖVP chairman Karl Nehammer is now negotiating a three-party coalition with the SPÖ and the NEOS as a missed opportunity for black and blue. The Federal President also did not behave correctly: “Personally, I consider the Federal President’s decision not to give the FPÖ the task of forming a government as a big mistake and I let the FPÖ play a martyr’s role.”
But why has the ÖVP recently suffered significant losses in numerous elections? Sachslehner: “There is clearly a loss of confidence in those in power. But what is clear: people want center-right politics. We saw that in the European elections, and we also saw that in the elections for the National Council. We saw that in Vorarlberg and now also in Styria. So I think that can no longer be explained away.”
Austria has a spending problem
But what should happen next in terms of content in the future federal government? Sachslehner: “We absolutely do not need any new taxes. Austria already has some of the highest taxes and duties in Europe. We don’t have an income problem, we have an expenditure problem.” And he immediately lists a few examples where savings are possible: “For example, with the climate bonus for asylum seekers. We don’t need that. There are also far too many subsidies that came at the instigation of the Greens and that could have been saved. For example, promoting cargo bikes. Or folding bicycles.”
Negative example of Vienna
And then there would be far too many social provisions for refugees, such as a minimum income: “The outrage and excitement among the population about this issue is of course completely justified and also completely understandable. There were plenty of examples of individual families in Vienna receiving five thousand euros in social benefits. This is of course insane and no one can understand it.”
But you can’t blame the refugees for this. Because that is the system and Vienna would be a negative example in this respect because it has a very generous system. Speaking of Vienna: the cooperation between the SPÖ and ÖVP in the city council is very hesitant. Sachslehner: “There is no cooperation, we are in opposition. The SPÖ is very uninterested in that.”
You can watch the entire interview in the video above.
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.
