BZÖ wants ‘economy’ a school subject
The Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) plans initiatives for more focus on economic subjects at school.The opposition partys announcement comes after research revealed that half of around 1,900 Austrian university students were unable to answer more than half of the questions about economic issues correctly.Party chief Josef Bucher said today (Mon): “Economics should become a separate compulsory subject at all schools from the fifth grade.”He announced his party would launch a parliamentary initiative over the issue.The BZÖ has tried to establish itself as an economic-orientated and liberal party after being founded in 2005 by right-wing Freedom Party (FPÖ) government ministers.Critics accused the party of failing to convincingly disassociate itself from the far-right mindset that dominates the agenda of rivals FPÖ.While the FPÖ saw gains at most of the recent provincial and federal elections, the BZÖs popularity is plummeting after winning 10.7 per cent in the 2008 general election.