It was quite a turbulent interview that Chancellor Karl Nehammer and ORF presenter Armin Wolf gave on Wednesday evening in “ZiB 2”. The subject was the cost of living and inflation in our country and whether the measures taken by the government were really effective. A message from the politician caused a sensation. Because according to him, poverty in the country was even higher under his predecessor Christian Kern (SPÖ).
The discussion was so heated that it ultimately messed up the flow of the show. Because it was well covered. “You forget: poverty was higher under the Social Democratic chancellor Christian Kern,” the chancellor shot in the direction of Armin Wolf.
And people immediately wondered: is that true? The “Kleine Zeitung” carried out a fact check and came to an astonishing result (see comparison of the graphs).
Chart: Peer 2008 – 2018
Chart: Pear 2018 – 2022
In 2017, the economic situation was very different
Christian Kern was SPÖ chancellor in office from May 2016 to December 2017 and has ruled for about the same length of time as Nehammer currently. The economic situation was different then. In 2017, inflation averaged just 2 percent and unemployment was 8.5 percent. Today we are dealing with unusually high inflation, which stands at 9.8 percent compared to last year. The unemployment rate is lower at 6.2 percent.
Poverty statistics remained the same
However, according to the analysis, the poverty statistics should have remained about the same – despite the different starting position. According to this report, 1,555,000 people in Austria were at risk of poverty and exclusion in 2022. In 2017, in Kern’s time, this was the case for 1,563,000 people. There were even a few more. What is different, however, is that six years ago the trend was towards a lower risk of poverty. Today it’s the other way around.
Less manifest arms
There is a clear difference in the group considered manifestly poor, ie significantly materially and socially disadvantaged. In 2017, a total of 323,000 people belonged to it. Today there are only 201,000 people.
How do you actually calculate poverty?
What does “poor” mean in one of the richest countries in the world? For the assessment, there is an EU-wide survey, which surveys households between February and July each year. The poverty statistics take into account a total of 13 basic needs, such as whether you can afford to make unexpected expenses of 1290 euros, go on vacation once a year, own a car, pay your rent or loan on time or eat hot meals regularly.
ÖVP general: “SPÖ’s double standard was exposed”
The ÖVP is in any case confirmed by the fact check. “The double standard of the SPÖ has come to light. A look at the numbers makes it clear that the risk of poverty in Austria was higher under SPÖ Chancellor Christian Kern than under Chancellor Karl Nehammer today,” Secretary-General Christian Stocker wrote. added: “If the SPÖ accuses the federal government of not effectively combating poverty, it should undoubtedly denounce this party’s double standards. The SPÖ would do well not to act as a moralist, but to sweep your own house before criticizing others for a successful social policy.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
