Schüssel as a guest
“Nothing is perfect – not even the EU”
The members of the Vorarlberg Economic Association flocked to Dornbirn in droves on Thursday evening. The reason: Former Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel had announced his attendance to talk about the upcoming EU elections and economic challenges.
"They're all here because of him," said one of the visitors, amazed at the large audience. And Schüssel did not disappoint. Significantly older and without a "Mascherl", but equipped with a razor-sharp mind and subtle humor, the 78-year-old first talked about his beginnings in politics. "The Wirtschaftsbund was my first political home. In the last century, I started as a young employee in the ÖVP parliamentary club under Stefan Koren (Finance Minister under Kreisky, note). I learned a lot there and then became Secretary General of the Austrian Economic Association."
He always saw the Wirtschaftsbund as the ÖVP's think tank. "A follow-up and thought leadership group that greatly enriched the economic and socio-political agenda." For example, they went to England to take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of privatization.
Today is a time that should give us pause for thought. We have geopolitical tensions with a war in the middle of Europe.
Altkanzler Wolfgang Schüssel
Thinking ahead to the future
In Dornbirn, Schüssel acted as a driving force. In the past, as today, it was necessary not only to deal with the politics of the day, but also to think ahead to the future. "Today is a time that should make us think. We have geopolitical tensions with a war in the middle of Europe. The long-suppressed issue of national defense is back." The threats are not only military, there are cyber attacks or other attempts to harm a country economically.
The rise of China also poses an economic policy challenge. "We have to increase our competitiveness and must not be naive." Because the USA, an ally in other areas, is also a tough competitor in economic competition.
"Many issues cannot be solved alone"
Another field that Schüssel sees as requiring a bit of foresight is that which deals with technological issues: Digitalization, artificial intelligence, data protection or developments in medicine. Austria cannot answer many of these questions alone. That is why the European Union is so important.
"We joined almost 30 years ago. That was a magical date and our economic strength has almost tripled in those 30 years. Exports have increased fivefold and foreign investment in Austria has increased tenfold."
"Swiss free riders can't have a say"
Countries such as Switzerland are certainly fully integrated into the European single market. "They benefit as free riders, but cannot have a say as they are not at the decision-making table. They have to implement what has been decided." And what it means to no longer be part of it can be seen in the UK and Brexit, which is estimated to have cost the British around 150 billion pounds.
Despite all the challenges, Schüssel advocated remaining positive: "It is a fascinating time. We must not be afraid and must not be put off by prophets of doom or apocalyptics. There are real problems, but let's have the confidence to solve them. Nothing is perfect - not even the EU."
It is a fascinating time. We shouldn't be afraid and we shouldn't let prophets of doom or apocalyptics scare us. There are real problems, but let's have the confidence to solve them.
Schüssel
The evening was almost perfect - thanks to a guest who had a lot to tell. Among other things, about a lift ride with Vladimir Putin. At the 2001 World Ski Championships in St. Anton, back when it wasn't just the clocks that ticked differently.
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