Chancellor Karl Nehammer caused a scandal with his statement about inflation

Rising prices
“Alcohol or psychotropic drugs”: Austria’s Chancellor Nehammer caused a scandal with his statement about inflation

The Austrian press is primarily concerned with one question these days: What is the matter with Chancellor Karl Nehammer? At a party conference of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), he had used the wrong choice of words. Or so it seemed. The meeting discussed, among other things, the increased prices caused by the Ukraine war. In a video circulating on social media, Nehammer called inflation, rising prices and “absurdly high energy costs” “enemies”. Countermeasures would have to be taken “so that we don’t drive inflation, but try to suppress it together in the European Union”.

This is anything but easy. And then the communicative faux pas followed: “If we continue like this, there are only two decisions for you afterwards: alcohol or psychotropic drugs.” Nehammer’s statement caused amusement and annoyance in equal measure.

danger to politics

In addition to short laughs on the sidelines of the party congress, the right-wing FPÖ condemned Nehammer’s remark as “flapsig” and “classic oath of disclosure”. This reflects “the complete failure of the government on the one hand and the total overwhelm with the overall situation on the other hand,” criticized General Secretary Michael Schnedlitz in a broadcast. Nehammer has once again demonstrated that he was the wrong choice as head of government and should clear the way for new elections.

The “Standard” declares the statement, which was probably meant to be funny, as “thoughtlessness” and “inferior intellectual performance,” which not only undermines trust in the chancellor himself, but in politics as a whole. “With all understanding for a quick, even ill-placed punch line, it can happen: As chancellor, one must not and cannot spout nonsense like that.”

It is not the first time that Karl Nehammer is irritating

It’s not the first time that the chancellor has had such a miscommunication. He is said to have brought this “punch” to the federal party conference in Lower Austria back in April. And a month earlier, Nehammer said at the ÖVP state party conference in Tyrol. “So many in a small space also means so many viruses – but now we don’t care anymore.” In view of the high incidence, this statement also brought the Chancellor more criticism than praise a.

However, the Federal Chancellery has reacted to the recent glitch. At the request of the “Kronen Zeitung” it was said that Nehammer wanted to convey confidence. However, the chancellor’s office conceded that he had worded it flippantly.

Even during his speech, the chancellor tried to be serious enough. “And I say: alcohol is basically okay”, and added: “The decisive thing is that you always toast when you’re feeling good”.

Sources: “The Standard”, “Courier”, Twitter

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