Interview with Nehammer

“We have to reduce social benefits”

ÖVP Chancellor Kaarl Nehammer calls for cuts in social benefits and the consistent deportation of asylum seekers who commit crimes.(Bild: (c)Paul Gruber)

Karl Nehammer in an interview about excessive social benefits for migrants, the need for repatriations to countries such as Afghanistan, the budget deficit and why he wants to continue doing the job of Federal Chancellor.

"Krone": Mr. Chancellor, Magnus Brunner was nominated as EU Commissioner after a long struggle. Why was Ursula von der Leyen's request to nominate a man and a woman not granted? Aren't you diminishing Austria's chances of getting a top portfolio? What were the arguments against nominating Karoline Edtstadler as Minister for Europe?
Karl Nehammer: Magnus Brunner has the broadest range of experience for this particular position, especially when it comes to making Europe more competitive again. Finance ministers also always play a very important role in the EU, which is why they are welcome in the Commission. On the nomination - there are several levels. One is that our national procedure provides for the nomination of a person. Ursula von der Leyen also takes this into account and mentioned it in the call for nominations. Furthermore, as I mentioned, Magnus Brunner is highly qualified and almost all other countries have also nominated a person, as far as I have seen so far.