The Intelligence from The Economist Ibiza remix: Austria and the European fringe
May 22, 2019
Ryan Avend, a senior editor and economics columnist at The Economist, dives into the tumultuous political scene in Austria, highlighting the fallout from the Ibiza scandal and its impact on the rise of populist parties in Europe. He also explores the perplexing motivations of the ultra-wealthy behind space colonization—are they seeking adventure or escaping earthly troubles? The conversation wraps up with a warning for avocado lovers about market volatility and rising prices, leaving listeners with food for thought on both politics and brunch.
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Ibiza Scandal
- Austrian politician Heinz-Christian Strache was caught in a sting operation, the Ibiza scandal.
- He discussed illegal donations and controlling media in exchange for state contracts.
Austrian Political Fallout
- The Freedom Party's involvement in the scandal led to the collapse of the Austrian government.
- New elections were called, but the Freedom Party still has a strong base.
Nuanced Populism
- Sebastian Kurz's nuanced populism, which addresses immigration concerns while avoiding hateful rhetoric, has a lot of support across Europe.
- This approach may influence other European countries.