The ÖVP-EU Karas Mandate contradicts the representation of Freedom.
The FPÖ warns against introducing a €5,000 cap on cash payments, which is planned by the EU and supported by the ÖVP. As a source for this assumption, the Freedom Party cites conversations with ÖVP-EU MP Othmar Karas, according to which Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner in the EU have already given the green light for the upper limit.
Karas was taken aback by these statements. There was a meeting with several party representatives, but neither the 5,000 number nor the chancellor and finance minister were an issue, a spokesman said. Rather, it is correct that on the EU side, in the discussion about a maximum cash limit, there was originally a range of 5,000 to 15,000 euros, while the EU Parliament voted for .000 and the member states for a limit of 10,000 euros.
Whether cash payments of that amount are common is irrelevant, said FPÖ constitutional spokeswoman Susanne Fürst. It’s just about being able to do it. Prince and consumer protection spokesman Peter Wurm did not accept that the ability to pay large sums of money has long been criticized by anti-corruption fighters. Criminals would always find ways to launder money, both told reporters today.
Limiting the use of cash would lead to a “transparent consumer”, warned Wurm. However, he admitted that bank customers already have to identify themselves if they have large amounts of cash. Fürst again warned against the argument that “if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear”. The FPÖ spokeswoman for the constitution stressed that she “would not give a shilling” to promises made by the EU to respect data protection. Fürst and Wurm repeated their call for the money to be anchored in the constitution.
Criticisms also to digital euro plans
The background of the FPÖ press conference is the EU’s efforts for a uniform upper limit for cash payments of €10,000. In almost half of the EU countries there are already maximum amounts for cash payments. Another thorn in the side of the FPÖ is a legislative proposal by the EU Commission for a digital euro, which is intended to complement cash. Whether the European Central Bank (ECB) will introduce the digital version remains to be seen. Digital money is intended to create an alternative to cash and at the same time to the major US payment and credit card providers. The digital yuan has existed in China for about a year.
The digital euro must not replace cash and must be usable in a similar way to PayPal payment systems. In contrast, you don’t need a bank for processing. The digital euro is issued directly by the central bank and is therefore more secure than cash in an account. Citizens and businesses should be able to use it for free online and offline payments – that is, even if there is no internet connection, such as in remote areas or underground parking lots. According to previous information from the ECB, a digital euro could arrive in 2026 at the earliest. (APA)