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AUSTRIAN OF THE WEEK

POLITICS

Spindelegger: Defeated by tax reform

Former Finance Minister Michael Spindelegger resigned on Tuesday after eight months in the role, over differences within the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) over how to overhaul Austria's tax system and reduce its debt. What will his legacy be?

Spindelegger: Defeated by tax reform
Michael Spindelegger. Photo: APA/Schlager

Spindelegger also stepped down as Austria's vice chancellor and head of the ÖVP, the junior partner in Austria’s governing coalition.

At a surprise news conference, Spindelegger said he resigned due to a lack of support from his own party. "When there is no cohesion, it is time to hand over the reins," he told reporters.

Some ÖVP members have backed calls for tax cuts from its coalition partner, the centre-left Social Democrats.

Instead of cutting taxes, Austria should focus on cutting its debt, which is expected to reach about 80% of gross domestic product this year, Spindelegger said.

"The Austrian way must be oriented toward Berlin and not toward Athens," he said.

However, Gerald John of Der Standard newspaper writes that what Spindelegger didn’t understand is that no one wants to hear about the looming menace of national debt, and the need for savings and belt-tightening – what they want to hear is when their income tax is going to be reduced.

Tax reform was Spindelegger's stumbling block, and the issue that made him so unpopular, writes John.  

For many within the coalition a tax cut is seen as a way to woo voters and ensure success in the next elections (2018), as well as a way to boost the economy by giving workers more spending power.

But Spindelegger always maintained that this was the wrong approach.

"New debts are irresponsible towards the next generation, and I don’t want to be a part of that," he said in his parting words.

The Social Democrats want to introduce taxes on inheritance and a "millionaires tax" on the super rich – an idea Spindelegger rejected as a "drop in the ocean".

He had been a target of criticism from within his own party even before the debate over taxes. He has been a "dead man walking for many months," said political commentator Peter Plaikner.

Voters expect politicians to solve problems, not to give constant warnings that everything is going down the drain. A senior ÖVP figure referred to Spindelegger as a “Cassandra” – but only time will tell if he was actually the voice of reason.

Spindelegger was criticized for his inability to assert his policies and for some of his cabinet choices when building the government. He was viewed by some as too conservative even for the centre-right ÖVP.

With his wife, Margit. Photo: APA/Hochmuth

Many politicians from both sides of the government were surprised by Spindelegger's resignation, but seemed certain that the coalition would be able to overcome the loss of one of its party's leaders.

The day after his resignation Spindelegger had an “impromptu interview” with a sports editor in the changing room of a well-known Vienna fitness club. The 54-year-old was described as “looking 15 years younger” and “beaming”.

"It's also about having some dignity in life, I feel wonderful," Spindelegger said. His immediate plan was to clear his office and fly to Luxembourg, where his wife works – and after that – no long term plans as yet.  

Good luck to his successor as ÖVP chairman, Reinhold Mitterlehner. Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung commented that whoever takes over the ÖVP “is on a suicide mission and will die a quick political death.”

Editor's Note: The Local's Austrian of the Week is someone in the news who – for good or ill – has revealed something interesting about the country. Being selected as Austrian of the Week is not necessarily an endorsement.

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POLITICS

EXPLAINED: Austria wants to define its fundamental culture but what is it?

Politicians from Austria's centre-right ÖVP are putting together a definition of Austria's 'guiding culture', known in German as 'Leitkultur'. What is that and why are they doing it?

EXPLAINED: Austria wants to define its fundamental culture but what is it?

When you think of Austria, your first thoughts might be of Alpine hills, Schnitzel and traditional folk music. 

Is this what politicians are referring to when they talk about Austrian ‘Leitkultur’ or ‘leading or guiding culture’? 

Many in Austria are considering this question because the coalition government is honing in on this concept. 

Austria’s Integration Minister Susanne Raab, of the centre-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), has been tasked by chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) to develop a legal definition of ‘Austrian guiding culture’.

It’s part of the “Austria Plan” that Nehammer presented earlier this year when he called for a “guiding Austrian culture by 2030, which should also be reflected in law as a national cultural asset”.

READ ALSO: ‘Austria Plan’ – What are the chancellor’s new plans for the country?

Raab said it should ensure “that symbols and behaviours that contradict our fundamental values can be treated in a legally differentiated manner”.

However, this topic has been the subject of heated debate with critics accusing politicians of using it to alienate immigrants, particularly asylum seekers and refugees.There is a fear that the ‘Leitkultur’ concept goes against multiculturalism and calls on people to conform to one ‘guiding culture’ without an acceptance of other ways of life outside western culture. 

The concept is not just a talking point in Austria – it’s also been discussed heavily in neighbouring Germany for years, particularly by centre-right and far-right parties. 

How is Austria planning to define Leitkultur?

The Austrian government says it wants to define a concept of national cultural heritage in law over the next six years. 

As a first step, the Integration Minister has brought together a panel of experts who will meet on Thursday.

Under the banner “Austrian identity and guiding culture: values of coexistence”, the first meeting will be an introductory exchange, according to Raab’s office. The minister will outline her approach to the topic before the discussion, Austrian newspaper Der Standard reported.

The panel includes Katharina Pabel, a lawyer from Linz, Rainer Münz, who worked for Erste Bank and advised Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the EU Commission and Wolfgang Mazal, a professor at the Institute for Labour and Social Law at the University of Vienna.

What is Austrian ‘guiding culture’?

In an interview with Der Standard before the meeting, Mazal said the initial discussion “should serve to find a consensus in society about what is important to us and what form of coexistence we should cultivate”. He added that the ‘Leitkultur’ debate should be a “process of reflection”.

Mazal does not share the criticism of the term – in his view, it is not about placing one culture above others. Similar to the mission statement of a company, a “guiding culture” should define the “fundamental direction” of a society, he said. 

But the ÖVP’s communication has been more rigid. Secretary General Christian Stocker, for instance, recently explained in a Facebook video that Austrian identity is “what defines us”. This goes “from A to Z”, for example from brass band music to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. “How we celebrate our festivals and holidays” is also part of our identity, he said. And “anyone who doesn’t want to accept all that is welcome to leave”, he made clear.

Overall, the People’s Party is focussing the debate very strongly on the topic of migration. Stocker says, for example, in the context of his comments on identity, that those “who have come to us” have done so voluntarily. “They have chosen this country and therefore they must also accept how we live in this country, what tradition and identity we have.”

In social media posts, Der Standard notes that the party states things like: “Anyone who believes that they should not shake a woman’s hand because she is ‘unclean’ must leave.” Or: “Anyone who rejects our way of life must leave!” 

Integration a key component 

Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) told the Kronen Zeitung earlier this year that the concept was centred on integration. 

“Integration means learning the language, going to work and also accepting the values of our coexistence,” she said.

“And that is relevant because many people come to us who have been socialised completely differently. Where the culture is completely different, where women are worth less than men, where girls have no access to education and are forced into marriage or where the police are not your friend and helper, but highly corrupt. All of this is important to convey. And this is where immigrants also have to adapt.”

Raab added that it was possible for someone who did not adapt to face sanctions. 

“Yes, there will be measures that can be implemented in law, Raab told the newspaper, suggesting that could include cuts to social benefits, for example, or negative influences in the citizenship procedure or to asylum status.

The minister gave the example of when refugees come to Austria they have to take a German and values course as well as sign a declaration of integration otherwise there is a risk of having social benefits cut. The ÖVP is also currently considering further sanctions. 

Whatever the case, it is clear that the ÖVP is pushing for more integration measures in Austria, which is something they have been doing consistently. 

READ ALSO: Austrian minister wants foreigners to improve German levels to keep social benefits

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