BZÖ attacks government for helping ‘money sink’ Greece
Austrian opposition politicians have criticised the government for deciding to financially support “money sink” Greece.Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) boss Josef Bucher said in parliament yesterday (Weds): “European leaders have failed. They have now agreed to assist money sink Greece while not mentioning anything about a tax on risky financial speculations.”Bucher claimed the Euro “will be history” if speculators focus on Spain and Portugal who are also in serious financial difficulties.The BZÖ chief branded the coalitions decision to contribute 2.3 billion Euros to the international rescue package for Greece as an “act of desperation without legitimisation of the parliament”.Peoples Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Josef Pröll defended the move.”Hundreds of thousands of jobs would be at risk if we dont help Greece immediately,” he said.Pröll however also warned: “The time of cheating and tricking is over for Greece.”The minister revealed he was “angry” by former Greek leaders actions.BZÖ MP Ewald Stadler claimed the 110-billion-Euro rescue bid agreed on by the EUs 16 Eurozone countries and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would only help bank institutes. Stadler accused Pröll of “not having a clue” about what was going on.Freedom Party (FPÖ) head Heinz-Christian Strache attacked the coalition formed by the ÖVP and the Social Democrats (SPÖ) for not having held a referendum before agreeing on Austrias participation.Greens foreign issues spokesman Alexander Van der Bellen said European Union (EU) leaders acted “incompetently” in their decision to financially support Greece which has worryingly high state debt and budget deficit figures.The chiefs of Austrias five biggest banks earlier this week ensured they would not reduce investments in Greece.Raiffeisenzentralbank (RZB) chief Walter Rothensteiner said: “We will not speculate against Greece, and we wont reduce our investments in the country.”Austrian banks have invested around 4.5 billion Euros in the country.