Over 260,000 Austrians have signed a petition calling for the EU exit for the country, and now the Austrian parliament must discuss a referendum on the issue.Unlike Greece, Austria is an extremely wealthy nation, with one of the highest standards of living in the world. Which kind of makes you wonder right? Everyone has been talking about the consequences of what would happen if a financial basket case like Greece leaves the EU, but what happens if one of the more stable and functional nations leave? What if the people who are carrying the weight of the insolvent, decide that they've had enough?
Overall, the 261,159 people who signed the petition represent 4.12 percent of the electorate.
The petition was most popular in the regions of Lower Austria (where 5.18 percent of potential voters signed it) and in Carinthia (4.85 percent).
The threshold for calling a debate on a potential referendum is 100,000 people.
The petition was launched by 66-year-old retired translator Inge Rauscher, who composed a similar petition in 2000. On that occasion, it was signed by 3.35 percent of the electorate.
Rauscher told The Local that there was probably more support for a referendum now because of the economic crisis and the Greek crisis.
In a press release, she said it was "a great result."
All this talk about Greece causing the unraveling of the EU, hasn't taken wealthy nations into account, even though the whims of their populations should really scare EU leaders. The woman who launched the petition claims that if their country leaves, each household would save 9,800 Euros per year. If that's truly the case, then it doesn't sound like the EU can spare Austria.
As for the chances of this happening, it's hard to say. Current polls place support for measure at around 33%, but Austrian politicians like Robert Marschall think the number is closer to half of the population. He suggests that many of the polls are biased, because they don't give any anonymity to voters.
We'll probably find out soon, one way or another. Now that this petition has achieved a sufficient number of votes, their parliament will have to debate the possibility of creating a referendum on the issue. Even if they don't have enough votes now, that may change if Greece leaves the Euro, and wealthy countries like Austria are stuck with their bill.
Reader Comments
It was the greed of banksters that brought about the Greek crisis, and it will again be greed that may bring about the Austrian exit. The banksters gulp down the money that is gouged from the people. And since the banksters control the governments, this decay is unchecked.
What is the danger of this rot?
Alliances meant to balance out the growing might of ISIS are shaky. The threat exists because, once again, the banksters and Global Corporations invested, not in people, but in war.
All problems here stem from the Love of Money.
She (Money) is alluring, perfumed with great charms, mesmerizing all who tarry too long in her stare.
She is a devourer, and spins webs that no reason or wisdom can penetrate. Once anesthetized, she begins to feed.
Just like the US needs wars "over there" for its military industrial complex to prosper at home the EU needs poor slave plantations "over there" - Greece & poor abused countries in Europe - to remain slaves and allow to be exploited by never-ever repayable astronomical debt - Ultimate Trap of Bankers - and must generate as much wealth for the rich EU countries as possible.
Immigrants and foreign workers go to Austria to live and work, because of clearly better pay and believed better conditions. Undercutting Austrians probably.
When an Austrian job-zone area becomes saturated with foreign workers, then one of the would-be immigrants (who went there with his family, because "only idiots remain in my country") said to me that "the insufferable backstabbing/whining/blackmailing nature of the people of my country" makes Austrians to grow to hate my people, immigrants from the poorer, ex-communist countries.