Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker Sees Europe Trapped in a Wealth Trap
Austria’s Chancellor Christian Stocker has expressed concerns that the European Union is at risk of falling behind in the global competition due to a perceived lack of willingness to work and a sense of complacency, according to an interview with the German newspaper Bild.
Stocker, a member of the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), believes that Europe is stuck in a comfort zone of wealth and needs to show a renewed sense of performance and competitiveness. He stated, “Sometimes I get the impression that we are a bit spoiled by our wealth.” The Chancellor emphasized the need for politics and society to revitalize the promise of upward mobility, so that hard work is rewarded and more is left over after expenses.
On the issue of migration, Stocker made it clear that he has no issues with the increased border controls and migrant rejections implemented by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. He stated that the rejections at the German border pose no problem for Austria, as the country has a good relationship with Germany at the ministerial and chancellor levels and can proceed without major issues. Stocker pointed out that Austria has been controlling its borders since 2015, in cooperation with Germany and eight other Schengen states.
Stocker also expressed support for Merz’s proposal to deport asylum seekers who have committed crimes, even to countries such as Afghanistan, Syria, or third-party states and stated that he believes Germany is in line with this initiative. The Chancellor also expressed support for an initiative by Italian Prime Minister Meloni and Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen to re-examine the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), saying that the new Austrian government also supports this effort.
Stocker expressed his satisfaction with having a new colleague in Berlin, saying that Merz has shown that he is willing and able to take on responsibility. The Chancellor believes that a stronger role for Germany in the EU would be a positive development for the common project.