The Bruno Kreisky Forum for International Dialogue is a quiet house in a narrow alley in Döbling, a noble address in Vienna. Once the home address of the legendary Red Chancellor Bruno Kreisky, it has been a “European place of thought” since 1991, as it says on the institute’s homepage. There Franz Vranitzky, founding and honorary president of the forum, welcomes the STANDARD in that spacious room that opens onto a beautiful garden with a glass front, protected by wooden slats. Although the day is gray, the room appears to be flooded with light, almost elegant, in a reserved way. Vranitzky fits well into this ambience, he too was always considered reserved – especially in his public statements. But on this day – the FPÖ and ÖVP are currently negotiating their first joint budget – Vranitzky is, in his opinion, almost offensive. He says he is worried about the country and Europe. For an hour he explains why – and what should be done about it.
