[ad_1]
We had a curfew in Austria for a long time. Not at 10 pm, but at 11 pm, that was my compromise proposal. But there are only countries that did not want to agree, completely independent of any party, Vienna and Lower Austria did not enjoy it. So we have to go back to measures at the national level on essential issues, but then also make regional decisions. Why should I block something in Hermagor when I have a problem in Bruck an der Mur? In this regard, the traffic light naturally makes sense. But even with red, I don’t think we will automatically close schools. The masters don’t have a mask requirement yet, but it will come because a relatively large number of masters have been infected.
Why has common ground been lost in the federal government?
I am not criticizing the federal government as a whole. It is an unprecedented challenge. My political experience is that you can and should admit mistakes.
Who made mistakes
Well, if I post a recipe and it won’t arrive for a week, I’ll understand it in extraordinary moments, but then I must admit this mistake.
But doesn’t the Chancellor, as head of government, also have to restore this unity?
The Federal Chancellor tries very hard. I only called him multiple times the week before when the question of narrowing down the events came up. And that’s when I realized how many organizers talk to himself. Actually, that’s not his job at all.
You mentioned the carelessness of the people. Many infections occur in the private sphere. It always means that we cannot regulate anything in the apartments and houses. Constitutional lawyers see this in a more nuanced way. Is it okay to have big parties at home?
We have to obey the law. But with such health challenges, there are restrictions on freedom. And I am in favor of restrictions where they can be explained. I don’t want to look in the bedroom, but when you have excesses at private parties in a basement or garden shed, you have to be able to figure that out. For certain cases, for certain moments. I am in favor of seeking a constitutionally viable path here. And I add that the other parties are also involved. We are trying to do that in Styria, and that is what I would like from the federal level. I am also of the opinion that the ÖVP and the SPÖ have not yet served their purpose together. At the beginning of the crisis we had allied ranks in Parliament, which we have now lost. But nothing is more important than being supportive on fundamental issues. Because we must not forget that after the crisis it is necessary to restart the economy and put the labor market in order, otherwise the social order does not work.
What needs to be done to make the job market situation improve again?
I am a capable businessman, and so I was very scared by a single statement from the federal government at the beginning of the pandemic, which was “no matter the cost.” That cannot be a principle, not for me, for the community, for the country or the republic. We have done a lot. We have the best part-time work system in the world, although I hope this is not just a drag on unemployment, because we currently have far fewer bankruptcies than last year.
How long should these measures continue? Can we afford to reimburse companies for fixed costs and long-term wage costs?
No, we could last until spring, not beyond. We cannot promise people that we will spend money that we do not have, my grandchildren and the many hundreds of thousands of other grandchildren will pay it. Now it was necessary to go into debt to take us to the socially disadvantaged. But one thing must not happen: that the social order overturns. So when you say whether there should be new measures: No, I don’t think it makes sense to increase unemployment benefits.
Also at the cost of higher unemployment?
That’s the way it is. One of the main problems in Austria is that there is little difference between those who are unemployed and those who do not earn well but go to work. Debating this discrepancy without foam at the mouth is a bit lost. We have to talk about giving more to those who are going to work and consider that the welfare state is the one that really needs it. But not for those who could have judged it, and unfortunately there are many.
How big are your concerns that the car group, which is so important to Styria, may be in danger?
Of course, I am worried and constantly talk about it. Recently I was told by Günter Apfalter, Magna’s head for Europe and Asia that they were building a second electric motor that would be much cheaper. He is more concerned with the question of whether commuters can come from Slovenia.
Finally, let’s talk about your work. Was a newspaper speculating that they might not even be able to run in the next election in four years? So far it has been said that he will step down in two years. What do you think of these rumors?
I smiled about it. If anything bothered me it was the cartoon in which State Councilor Christopher Drexler was drawn with a saw cutting into my chair, because he is a very loyal and supportive employee. We have very good understanding. Now we are in rough seas and the captain does not leave the ship.
Does that mean it’s open?
The fact that I am running again is open, but I have a lot on my mind at the moment, but not the question of when I want to quit.
Do you already have your successor in mind?
Yes of course.
