After the crisis cabinet in the Federal Chancellery, the opposition spoke of a “disappointment”. Emergency measures were not discussed, the ministers only informed about the status quo.
It was actually a routine meeting of the crisis cabinet (which includes the chancellor, vice chancellor, finance minister, energy minister and economy minister). With one difference: this time the opposition, the social partners and representatives of the city of Vienna were also invited. The opposition has styled this meeting as an energy summit. The SPÖ in particular increased the pressure on the government. SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner presented a five-point plan against the inflation wave this weekend – from a fuel price cap of 1.50 euros to a VAT cut.
But things didn’t turn out the way the opposition had hoped. Little was discussed. “It was disappointing,” says one participant. After acoustic problems with the microphone first had to be solved, the ministers present gave extensive presentations about the status quo in energy purchasing. Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) reported on the various aid packages. The government has not yet provided any information about the design of the electricity price brake. The first details should be announced by the end of August at the earliest.
Haidach gas storage is being filled
The summit lasted two hours, of which only a paltry 30 minutes was spent debating with the opposition. “Last time I saw so many frontal presentations at school,” says one participant. After the meeting, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) offered to hold private talks with opposition leaders. There was a new message from the government: the important gas storage in Haidach – especially for gas safety in Vorarlberg and Tyrol – is now being filled to full capacity.
SPÖ leader Rendi-Wagner said after the meeting that “people are being abandoned”. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) objected that the government coordinated all aid measures with the economists. Until now, however, it is not known who economically represents the SPÖ’s five-point plan.
Source: Krone
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