In an interview, Hannes Androsch, an industrialist by choice from Ausseer, sharply criticized the government, the leadership of the SPÖ and our school system. Plus: What Austria did wrong during the crisis.
Doctor Androsch, how did Austria cope with the Corona crisis – and did it even cope with it?
The corona pandemic is not over yet. We are at the beginning of the fourth wave, which we hope will be weaker. Future pandemics cannot be ruled out either. After all, there is now an initial recovery as a result of the easing – although this is very different in the various sectors. It is larger in the construction industry and large parts of industry, and significantly lower in gastronomy, city tourism, retail and other services.
Did the pandemic reveal Austria’s weaknesses?
Before the crisis, we were in a worse position; Austria crashed more than other countries as a result of the crisis. The recovery will take longer if we do not quickly overcome the structural weaknesses. This applies to the labor market, to the education system, to the electricity supply and to the transport of goods by road and rail.
Is the crisis also an opportunity for the economy?
Winston Churchill said: “Never waste a good crisis”. Seen in this way, a crisis is also an opportunity if you only know how to use it. Here we come back to the structural weaknesses that already existed and that have worsened. Now we are facing another false start to the school in autumn because nothing has been done: For example, that the classes are equipped with ventilation devices and continuous digitalization is finding its way into the schools. However, this presupposes that the teachers are appropriately trained – which, according to the OECD, 70 percent are not. So there is a lack of hardware and software. And what do we do instead? We prevent the construction of power plants, the construction of lines, we prevent climate-protecting or climate-improving transport projects. So we’ll keep falling behind. Why can’t we do what Switzerland, the Netherlands or the Scandinavian countries can do? There is research and innovation dynamics wherever you look.
What lessons should politics learn from this crisis?
Government comes from governing and not from orchestrating. We finally need a government that is ready to act, future-oriented, knowledgeable and determined – and not this turquoise famiglia nostra.
You are also Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Salinen Austria AG. What are your plans?
We held up surprisingly well even during the crisis and are now looking for a second mainstay outside of Austria. This second leg is important because one is more difficult to stand on. The domestic jobs, as is also the case at AT&S, will be secured and, as in Leoben, even increased.Total
AT&S is investing a total of 1.7 billion euros in a new production site for IC substrates in Malaysia. How far have the preparations come?
The groundbreaking will take place in mid-October. The customers would like us to start producing already, but we need two and a half years before we can fulfill their wish. There are more wishes, but we can’t argue with them. We need quality and personnel. Which brings us back to an Austrian topic. We have a record number of vacancies, but we are hampering our growth with an encrusted labor market and an incorrect labor policy. The Swiss are much further along.
The SPÖ does not come to rest. Are the Reds not shooting themselves out at the moment, even though the Chancellor is showing a weakness like he has not for years?
Yes, it’s shocking when you keep shooting penalties without a goalie. If, like me, you were lucky enough to be able to help shape the height of social democracy in Austria in the 1970s and have to see where we are now, then that hurts and is also bad for the country. Based on the tradition of Austrian domestic politics, we need the two big parties, a third and meanwhile also a few smaller ones, because otherwise we would stand still and step backwards.
Is Pamela Rendi-Wagner the right person at the top of social democracy?
Of course, the SPÖ needs a top, but it also needs a breadth. Right now we don’t have the leadership attractiveness that it takes to attract voters. After all this turquoise swamp, scoring goals would be easy. Or to put it in Viennese language, you can emulate him without a goalkeeper.
You are an incredible 83. Will Hannes Androsch never retire?
If you rest, you rust! You only gain freedom at 80. I enjoy life and hope to be able to shape it according to the principle: grow old and die healthy!
That means you never think about your own finitude?
No, look, two years ago I had two nights when I thought it would be the last. It can always happen. To brood over it is idle. It is and will be. Hence carpe diem! Every day is my birthday.
Where are you vacationing this year: Adria or Altausseer See?
Mostly in Altaussee, at my second main residence. From Altaussee they say: This is not a village, but a disease that you can never get rid of.