Rudolf Anschober: “I would like to decide that myself now”
“When I read the headlines about the care situation in Salzburg, it’s terrible. But I think that could happen anywhere in Austria because we haven’t carried out any reforms for decades,” says Rudolf Anschober, the former Federal Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Care in an interview.
SALZBURG. The former Federal Minister for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Rudolf Anschober, is touring through Austria and Bavaria for 70 lectures and readings. On Tuesday he stopped in Salzburg. “This is my 37th reading. We had a full house at 30 readings,” says the former Green politician.
“Inside view” from the crisis
The book he brought with him is called Pandemia. Internationally, it is the first book by a decision-maker about the corona pandemic. The first “inside view” of a European health minister on the crisis.
Mr. Anschober, how have you met people since you left politics?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: I thought that when you leave politics, you should first go to an exchange station for three months. The opposite was the case. I have received many benevolent letters and emails. The sympathy just flew to me. Many have appreciated that I have shown weakness. You can’t always function.
After that you wrote the book “Pandemia” – a reappraisal of that time?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: Yes, it was a selfish project to deal with this time for yourself. What it isn’t is a political reckoning. I did a lot of research and spoke to many people about their experiences during the pandemic. I wanted to see for myself what we can learn from these years and what can be done better in the future.
Who comes to your readings?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: I wanted critics to come too, so that we could have good, constructive discussions on the subject. That happens again and again. There are many young people and of course many ‘Greens’ as well as people who are generally interested in politics and who are concerned about society.
Looking back: being in government responsibility in a mega-crisis like the corona pandemic, what does that do to you?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: I only had time to work through things after my retirement. No government in the world made no mistakes during this period. Writing the book helped me with this process.
We are currently stuck in a multiple, multiple crisis. Are you happy that you are no longer in government responsibility, or do your fingers sometimes itch when you follow this?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: I’m itchy. In retrospect, of course, it was the right moment and the right decision to stop. But today I sometimes think to myself: “I would like to decide that myself now”. But I’ve been in government for 18 years and done my bit for the things I think are important.
What is your (retro) view of Salzburg in the peak phase of the pandemic?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: I don’t want to make a ranking among the federal states. In general, however, I believe that we left the common path in Austria was a mistake. People don’t understand why regulations at federal state borders are changing. I would have preferred a more uniform approach.
And on other topics? Do you follow the situation in care in Salzburg?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: Nursing has long been in a massive crisis. When I can read the headlines from Salzburg, it’s terrible. But I think that could happen anywhere in Austria because we haven’t carried out any reforms for decades.
What do you advise?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: We need an Austria-wide salary reform in care. We know that by 2030 we will need around 100,000 nursing staff in the country. Action must be taken quickly now.
It is probably easier to formulate these demands now than when you were in government.
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: That’s right (laughs), I’m not trying to give the “G’scheidl” from the outside anyway. But I’m worried about that.
Are you following the personnel shift of the Salzburg Greens?
RUDOLF ANSCHBER: Yes, I know the people involved well. Martina Berthold is a highly committed and competent woman. You have my trust.
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