Neos founder Dengler: 'Party self-service is a disgrace'

Veit Dengler, a founder of the Austrian liberal party Neos, has detailed his reasons for introducing a motion on party financing that defied the party's official stance. Dengler stated he sought a way to avoid voting against the entire budget while still clearly opposing the current system of party funding.

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I was looking for a way not to vote against the entire budget out of coalition reason - but still to be very clear on the issue of party financing and not to vote yes.

"The self-service of the parties is simply a disgrace," Dengler told Die Presse, explaining that he had been denied speaking time within his party's club for a long time. When he requested to discuss party financing, he was reportedly told it was not possible. He expressed concern about losing his speaking slot if he announced his intention to introduce the motion beforehand, but felt it was a necessary last resort.

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The self-service of the parties is simply a disgrace.

Dengler also addressed his decision to record a parliamentary session, stating that if he had intended to keep it secret, he would not have placed his phone on the table. He claims that party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger accused him of plotting against her and trying to break up the coalition during that session, providing her with a pretext for action.

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I have been denied speaking time in this club for a very long time. When I asked to speak on the topic of party financing, I was told that it was not possible.

The estrangement, Dengler believes, began when the Neos agreed to an increase in party funding last year. He argues that Austrian party funding is five times higher than in other countries, without a corresponding improvement in policy. Dengler advocates for reforms to the political system, specifically targeting party financing and electoral law, which he sees as the "Archimedean levers" needed to solve deeper issues.

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If I had wanted to keep this secret, I would not have put the phone on the table.