Political dispute over bananas

And what remains of Babler’s shopping list now?

There are a few things missing from Babler's list – especially the pepper...(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

The planned reduction in VAT on food is dividing the government. Under criticism: Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (who is not even responsible for this area), who overran his coalition partners with a shopping list. So, back to square one? A commentary by "Krone" editor-in-chief Klaus Herrmann on Babler's list, non-binding political announcements, and the lack of spice in the government.

So now Austria knows which foods will have their VAT halved from the middle of the year. SPÖ Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler, whose main job is responsible for housing, art, culture, media, and sports, revealed himself to be an amateur market expert on ORF's Pressestunde program and presented a list of basic foods that will be cheaper in the future.

Commentary on the major issues affecting Austria: Klaus Herrmann, Managing Editor-in-Chief(Bild: Krone KREATIV/Imre Antal, stock.adobe.com)

Babler's shopping list includes milk, butter, and chicken eggs, several types of vegetables from cauliflower to cucumbers and potatoes to beans and peas, fruit from fresh apples to apricots or cherries, as well as rice, wheat flour, bread, and pasta—with the addition of "without filling."

Table salt is also included on Babler's list. ( 

(Non-)binding coalition
Of course, some things are missing. Everyday items such as meat, sausage, cheese, bananas, rye flour, yogurt, and many more that many would consider to be staple foods, such as asparagus, which is included on the list. But is this list even binding?

What is binding with this government? The very first reactions to the planned VAT reduction on staple foods from the middle of the year were still predominantly positive.

In the second round, when people began to calculate how much or how little households would save as a result of the tax reduction, the response was already much less favorable.

In the third round, after the vice-chancellor published the list of cheap items, the response has become even more critical. Even among the SPÖ's coalition partners. The ÖVP and Neos only found out about the list when it was published live on ORF by the vice-chancellor, who is not responsible for this area.

A government without spice?
So now the discussion is about sausage, bananas, and yogurt. Perhaps also about the pepper that is missing from the list.

Yes, where is the pepper? Let's see what ultimately remains of the much-heralded VAT reduction. Possibly as little as the much-heralded extension of military service.