Feest leader Fighting – Kogler for Green Prospects: “Is A Wild Ride”

“Krone”: The greens no longer rule. Swings melancholy with?
Werner Kogler: Not at all. We look ahead. But a lot has also been achieved in the flashback. We have received a lot of feedback from people who have shown our respect and gratitude. Ultimately, it should be obvious that politics works for people.

The last elections of the National Council were characterized by the fact that you wanted to prevent blue as number one. All little ones have a hard time. But you don’t have to throw your nerves away. Now we rule in Burgenland, although we were predicted departure from the State Parliament. You still hear a lot from Anja Haider-Wallner. You can see that it is moving forward again.

How do you assess the savings plans of the new government as an economist?
It will not be surprising if I am particularly important to keep ecology and companies in balance with social security. You only get that from the greens. We would also store, only the question is still where and how? We were always greens here. Whether it is professor Alexander van der Bellen, Gabi Moser or even today.

You must mainly invest in ecology – photovoltaic, wind energy, ecological industry, etc. There are tens of thousands of jobs. The Neos have reasonable approaches in terms of state reform and try a lot, but do not bring that. For example, you can save wisely- in environmentally friendly subsidies and not in environmental and climate protection.

The general government projects?
In the past 5 years we have come to the fast lane in climate protection and ecological investments from the breakdown strip. It remained more than the decades before. Without our investments in the ECO industry, we would have much more losses in the economic output and our dependence on Russia would be much greater.

If it went to the old ÖVP, we would continue to go in this direction. Bolding shoulder in the comrade Putin was the motto. This type of dependence is really an economic crime. The more you have to stimulate the energy transition. All gas resources, oil lobbyists and concrete barons were kept in chess as long as we have ruled.

They are ready to reform and cooperative. In which areas?
With sensible two -thirds. For example, in the energy transition and when expanding the network. There are many things that go with it. This is not a hobby of the greens. The problem with all the reforms is that you can almost take a step without no two, if not area, woven. And the worst is in health, there you have cities, countries and the federal government, medical association and health insurance companies, all of whom somehow have something to say and can decide nothing alone.

It will be difficult, especially with the ÖVP. With the state of emperors …
Yes, of course that was always the problem. I can remember that Vice Chancellor Josef Pröll failed with Chancellor Faymann in concrete projects. You can’t charge them, you should always offer them something. There seems to be no other way in this country. Austrian federalism is therefore a billion dollar folklore.

The greens are out of the game. What is your summary?
I entered federal politics with Alexander van der Bellen, where we bloom greens. We have played a role that is comparable to the German greens – very reform -oriented, but in ecological demand, ie how the planet continues, relatively radical but real in implementation.

What we have implemented in the last five years will also have a positive effect on the new government: the CO2 emissions that have been declined considerably in recent years will not increase now. It is more important what happens until 2030 before achieving the climate goals. At the moment there is not so much understanding, but a lot of headwind because there are so many other crises. Yes, and yet we have to keep an eye on the climate crisis. Also in the interest of the economy.

If we return the environmentally friendly harmful subsidies, we will immediately receive one and a half to two and a half billion euros. This is already a huge amount and the diesel privilege is also part of it. This day I heard that it finally thinks to change that into Tyrol. Why? Because there is a few cent difference to ensure that foreign trucks run less on the burner route.

Keyword pensions – most of the budget. What should happen here?
The debate always likes to be the statutory retirement age. In fact, you must ensure in advance to adapt to the legal. Because the subject of ladies’ pensions years ago was tackled, a lot shifts. The mistake is to look at absolute budget numbers. In reality you have to look at the costs in percent of the economic output – and it looks better.

What should happen in the asylum demand? Finally, the stop caused the reunification of the family
The lecture on the stop of the family reunification is relatively blown up and pure policy. This has a strong turquoise blue note. It is disappointing that Social -Democrats and Neos give themselves up for such a propaganda show. The announced is very problematic. It is argued with an emergency, but the current figures do not give it. One thing is certain: you have to answer the real questions European, for example with increased protection of external limits.

Europe is currently somewhat random in the context of the US and Russia and Ukraine …
If Europe does not come together, cooperates and acts together, then this Europe will no longer exist in 20 years. This also has to do with defense skills and therefore with weapon issues. That may sound strange when a greener says. But times have changed dramatically. I also thought about it myself. Who found it possible that such an aggressor as Putin wants to destroy European peace and Europe itself?

Austria has done a lot for Ukraine. Of course in the sense of neutrality. That is why it was so important that no European and Putin friends came to the government. At another point, namely the irresponsible complete gas addiction from Russia, I will always take a huge obligation to take red and black. Because the only ones who have no dirt on the rigid with the dictator Putin are the Greens and the Neos.

Something personal: when will there be a transfer? Are you not tired?
Yes, the transfer of party leadership will take place in the summer. This is decided on a federal congress. We will continue to work in the team. With Sigi Maurer and I and everyone else. And to record the other question: I am absolutely not tired. Even if in recent years have been tiring and turbulent. It is a wild ride in the middle of crises such as pandemic, war, lack of energy and the resulting inflation. But there is still a lot to do, a new part starts again and it goes up again.