Polls & Research

Austrians Review Postal Privatization Plans

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in Austria are aware of their government's proposal to partially privatize the Austrian Post Office, according to a poll by OGM. 49 per cent of respondents believe the plan is a significant event, while 35 per cent disagree.

The Austrian government is seeking to place 49 per cent of the Austrian Post Office in the stock market, with the remaining 51 per cent remaining in the hands of the government.

The postal workers union has threatened to go on strike if the proposed deal is sanctioned. Union president Gerhard Fritz declared, "We will oppose this plan to the bitter end." Austrian Federation of Trade Unions (OGB) chief Fritz Verzetnitsch said the proposal is "not in the best interest" of workers or citizens. 47 per cent of respondents believe the privatization will lead to job losses, while 38 per cent expect the Austrian Post Office to become more competitive.

Wolfgang Schuessel of the Austrian People's Party (OVP) has acted as head of government since February 2000. In the November 2002 parliamentary ballot, the OVP elected 79 lawmakers to the 183-seat National Council and formed a coalition government with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPO) after talks with the Social-Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) and Greens (Grune) broke down.

In April 2005, former FPO leader Joerg Haider assembled the Alliance for Austria's Future (BZO), which effectively took the Freedom Party's place in the governing coalition.

The next parliamentary election in Austria is tentatively scheduled for November.

Polling Data

The government would like to place 49 per cent of the Austrian Post Office in the stock market, while the remaining 51 per cent remains in the hands of the government. Do you consider this partial privatization as a significant event, or not significant?

The proponents of the post office privatization believe it will become more competitive, while the opponents think jobs will be lost. Which opinion do you follow?