There is so much that could, indeed must, be discussed. About defense capability, for example, and the proposal by the governor of Burgenland, Hans Peter Doskozil, to introduce a nine-month military and civilian service for men and women. Or about raising the retirement age. Or about the unsocial austerity package of the federal government: Households with low incomes are relatively more burdened than households swimming in money. One might wonder where Andreas Babler (SPÖ) was when this was decided: It contradicts everything he has demanded so far. Or about the fact that party funding is being curbed less than family benefits. Unlike these, it is frozen not for two, but only for one year, and then adjusted to inflation again. This is an outrage, yet even FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, who likes to present himself as a representative of the common man, remains silent on it. No wonder: After all, his party also benefits from it.
Instead, the big topic made by his people and tabloid media is the company car of State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn. A "scandal" is being identified, an "Audi-Gate," with talk of the "Achter-Sepp": It is about the fact that the Neos man is not traveling with an A6, but an A8. That the six was allegedly too inferior for him. In reality, according to "Falter," the Federal Procurement Agency has negotiated new leasing contracts, with the down payment for the A8 being 20,000 euros higher, but the monthly installment payments being nearly 450 euros lower. Moreover, the noble vehicle is also used for other purposes, such as diplomatic service.
One has to wonder what the "scandal" is supposed to be here. Thesis: It is about a small matter that is, however, tangible. No one can do anything with billions, but with an Audi A8. And the excitement is also related to the fact that it is currently being said that everyone must save, which creates the expectation among the masses that politicians should be traveling in a rather average car. Especially those who, like the deregulation state secretary, are directly involved with saving. One could indeed expect a bit more sensitivity from him.
With Sepp Schellhorn, however, there is more to it: He is someone who generally does not hold back and polarizes. That he belongs to the Neos, who are socially more associated with an upscale segment. A deep fall is gladly seen there. It leads to dynamics and escalations: Schellhorn recently reported being insulted by strangers on a train because of the company car. He said he felt "like 85 years ago." That is, during the Nazi era. That was unspeakable, he apologized, but it also brought the Greens against him.
Nevertheless, Schellhorn is the whipping boy: Talking about a company car scandal is not appropriate. Pretending there is nothing else to discuss is completely off the mark. It is probably more that someone is needed to vent on, and the choice fell on him because the government otherwise consists of rather unspectacular, even boring people, with whom no headlines can be made, let alone clicks obtained. And because he also allows himself to be tempted into verbal blunders, through which he politically endangers himself.
Johannes Huber runs the blog dieSubstanz.at – Analyses and Backgrounds on Politics
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.