Majority clearly against

New taxes: Bures letter shows division

In her letter, Bures criticized the focus on "countless tax increases".

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Rene Walentin)

Proposals for tax increases are rejected by a majority in Austria, but even within the SPÖ they are not all in favor. This is also clear from the letter from Doris Bures leaked to the "Krone".

With a tax rate of 43.6 percent, our country is known to be among the absolute leaders in Europe. 82 percent of Austrians are therefore clearly against new taxes.

A wish that is so clearly and consistently supported by many, but not all of the parties standing for election on September 29. In its election campaign, the SPÖ, led by the long controversial party leader Andreas Babler, is calling for new taxes on inheritances and assets.

A demand that is apparently not always supported even within the party itself.

"Suspicion of unseriousness"
This can also be seen in the letter from the Second President of the National Council, Doris Bures, revealed by the "Krone" newspaper. In her letter to the party presidium, which was intended for internal use but published externally, she noted that her party's focus on countless tax increases and simultaneous demand for free state services could give rise to the "suspicion of unseriousness".

In the meantime, Bures has also given her approval to the party program that has now been adopted. "Of course, this does not automatically mean that all representatives of the SPÖ really support the desire for new taxes," said a Red insider.