Kogler on FPÖ leader:

What Werner Kogler thinks about Kickl and coalitions

Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) in conversation with Ida Metzger and Nikolaus Frings

(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Werner Kogler has only been heard from a lot recently on his new TikTok account. In an interview with "Krone", the Green Vice-Chancellor talks about the introduction of a payment card for asylum seekers, possible new elections and coalition preferences as well as FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl.

"Krone": Five years ago, Ursula von der Leyen proclaimed the Green Deal. In Europe, but also in Austria, the mood on climate protection has changed since then. Do the Greens no longer reflect the zeitgeist of society, is green no longer chic?
Werner Kogler: Whether chic or not is not relevant to me. What is relevant is reconciling environmental protection and the economy. We are experiencing headwinds in Europe. That's what the EU elections will be about. It's about seizing opportunities and creating prosperity. The Greens are a reliable partner. We are the advocate for children and grandchildren.

But where does the change of heart come from? You see a lot of posts on social networks, for example, saying that climate change doesn't exist because snow fell in January anyway.
You have to ask the Wirtschaftsbund and the Social Democrats about that. They tend to use environmental protection only in their Sunday speeches. We shouldn't overlook the fact that this was the warmest January in recorded history. We can see the effects of the impending climate catastrophe. I have no sympathy for this kind of appeasement. We are getting close to the lying propagandists. We have to secure our livelihoods, that much is clear.

Aren't you overtaxing the Austrians a little?
We are not demanding, we are promoting. And with more billions for climate protection than anywhere else in Europe. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of new jobs. Environmental technology is one of the most stable and promising sectors of all. If Austria joins Sweden and Norway as one of the first countries to produce green steel - that's sensational news. Everyone will want to join in. Only those who take Viktor Orbán as their role model are overwhelmed by this progress. We have no time to lose, but opportunities to gain.

Far and wide, there is no one in the field of EU candidates who embodies climate protection as strongly and competently as Lena Schilling. Tactics are not my profession.

Werner Kogler

Lena Schilling will now be the Greens' first candidate in the European elections. In your opinion, wouldn't it make sense to run as a duo and hold the elections on the same day?
Far and wide, there is no one in the field of EU candidates who embodies climate protection as strongly and competently as Lena Schilling. Tactics are not my profession. The question of the election date is easily explained. From our point of view, when the National Council elections are to be held will depend on how many projects we can take forward. The next projects have already been prepared and others are being discussed

What else could be implemented before the election?
A lot has already been done. And more still needs to be done. Where should we go now? We want to make inroads into social, ecological housing. That creates jobs, is good for the climate and for the wallet. If we create living space by renovating buildings, this will have a positive effect on prices. We also want to reform the ORF bodies and make a difference in the area of animal welfare that safeguards farmers' incomes and animal welfare in equal measure. None of this comes for free. We need good subsidies and mandatory labeling.

Werner Kogler sets the direction for the Greens.

(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

How much more needs to be done so that we don't vote in June?
There is enough to do. Such speculation has been with us for a long time. One thing is certain, the current government is delivering more than any government before it. And that despite all the differences. Whether it's tax cuts, an increase in social benefits or the areas of health and care. If we can keep up this pace, it makes a lot of sense to continue. 

Unlike the ÖVP, the Greens have recently spoken out against the obligation to use clear names.
The platforms of these actually antisocial media must be held accountable.

Malicious tongues from the opposition claim that the Greens do not want to vote before the summer because they are hoping for a hot summer and flooding ...
Obviously, the rogue thinks as he speaks. That's not only too stupid for me, it's also disgusting. Anyone who has ever stood up to their knees in a flooded cellar is not going to joke or speculate about it. Tasteless. What's more, the legislative period runs until the end of September.

Almost a year ago, you launched a food summit. As a result, a price comparison database for food was promised, which - as the "Krone" reported - is still a long time coming. Will the database still be implemented?
The question should be addressed to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which should deliver the database - we haven't seen anything yet. We are pressing for all the data to be made available. And thanks to the Greens, the competition authority has been strengthened and can intervene more effectively.

Many SPÖ chancellors have not succeeded in automatically adjusting social and family benefits in line with inflation. We have done it and even with the turquoise ÖVP. We deliver.

Werner Kogler

Chancellor Karl Nehammer's Austria plan is in place. What is the green plan?
We will deliver an ecological program with social justice and economic rationality. For example, for healthy soil and therefore food security, for more gender equality and therefore equality between men and women and for a social-ecological market economy and therefore prosperity through climate protection.

Are there parallels to the black Austria plan? It doesn't seem out of the question that they will form a coalition again.
I am not above saying that there are also valid green points in the plan. For example on the subject of housing. If the ÖVP has the courage to do so, we really want to earmark the billions for housing construction in all federal states. There is another major joint plan to invest in childcare. We have already earmarked billions for this. More nationwide and good childcare is also a reason why I have just negotiated better pay for nursery school teachers and teachers in the public sector. In the health sector, we need to continue on our successful path and create a further 700 doctor's posts - as Johannes Rauch has also been pushing for. Following the first major improvements, further reforms need to be driven forward in the care sector. As you can see: Greens make the difference. Many SPÖ federal chancellors have not succeeded in automatically adjusting social and family benefits to inflation. We have done it and even with the turquoise ÖVP. We deliver.

The past few days have been characterized by speculation about a new edition of the old "grand" coalition in order to prevent Herbert Kickl from becoming Federal Chancellor. What do you think of these games?
It's not a game, there's a lot at stake. We have to specify exactly where a government under Herbert Kickl, who takes Orban as his role model, would lead. In Hungary, freedom of the media has been abolished and economic decline has begun. Young Hungarians are therefore emigrating. Is that what we want for our Austria? No. We need constructive forces that say what they are for. I think it's good that the two parties are talking to each other again. We must not leave the field to the blue Orbanists.

But it sounds very much as if the Greens would like to be the third party ...
That's another question. We never expected to negotiate a government back then. We discussed it openly and decided to take on responsibility with passion. Out of the conviction that it was better. Who is the advocate for children and grandchildren? The Greens. Whose lawyer is Herbert Kickl? Putin's. He has a friendship treaty with Putin, which he is now happy to throw under the bus. He likes to keep the devil's company.

All parties are currently considering how they can stop Herbert Kickl ...
Everyone is being asked to put their demands and what they want for this country on the table. What the blue brothers want is clear: Orbanistan. He wants to attack the rule of law. Nobody needs to say they didn't know what the so-called liberals were up to. We Greens have a better world in mind. Some blue functionaries are worse than the AfD and are constantly trivializing the Identitarians - they are intellectual arsonists.

Kogler has been federal spokesperson for the Greens since 2017.

(Bild: Peter Tomschi)

Please answer yes or no. Do you think Karl Nehammer will not govern with Herbert Kickl?
Yes.

The ÖVP also wants to move to the right and introduce a payment card for asylum seekers ...
 The novelty of the proposal is completely overrated. When I look at the model in Tyrol - there's nothing to be said against it. No cash at all is not a solution. It wouldn't hold up legally either. Cash withdrawals are also possible in Tyrol.

Finally, how are things going with the plans of Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler to make Austria less dependent on gas imports from Russia?
It is an economic crime that dependence on Russia was only really increased after 2014. Previous governments drove the cart into the mud, as is well known. We are pulling it out again. What we have already managed to do is reduce the amount we buy from Russia by 50 percent. The aim is to be completely independent by 2027/2028. And Chancellor Karl Nehammer is on board with that.