Neos MP Demands Radical Cut to Party Funding

Veit Dengler, a Member of Parliament for the Neos party in Austria, is advocating for a significant reduction in the funding allocated to political parties. He argues that the current level of financial support is "indecent and democracy-threatening," especially when compared to the European Union average.

Dengler points out that Austria spends between 330 to 350 million Euros annually on political parties, a figure he deems excessive. He also criticizes the lack of transparency in how taxpayer money flows to parties at various levels within the country.

While the Neos party recently agreed to a two-year freeze on party funding, Dengler believes this measure is insufficient. He is pushing for a radical overhaul of the system, including reforms to how party donations are managed and the removal of limits on contributions. Dengler questions the sustainability and democratic implications of Austria's current approach to financing its political landscape.