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New revelations about the substantial outside incomes of Austrian lawmakers sparked considerable debate in the country on Tuesday.
The far-right Freedom Party (FPOe), in particular, drew criticism and mockery for having the highest earners among its members, despite consistently portraying itself as the party of the common people.
The data, released by Austria’s parliament after the mandatory income declaration deadline, showed that in 2024, seven FPOe lawmakers earned over 12,000 euros (approximately $14,100) monthly from external activities, in addition to their standard parliamentary salary of around 10,000 euros. These FPOe members, often working as notaries or lawyers, averaged 1.9 additional income sources, surpassing their colleagues from conservative, Green, and liberal parties, who collectively had half as many high earners in parliament.
The disclosures led to public jest and sharp criticism. One reader quipped in The Standard daily, “There must be more hours in a day for these gentlemen than in ours.” Editorialist Barbara Toth posted on X, “The party of the little people? More like a club for the elite.”
Nico Marchetti, general secretary of the ruling conservative OeVP party, lambasted the FPOe, accusing them of being part of “the system” they frequently criticise, despite presenting themselves as the “voice of the ordinary people.”
The FPOe, however, dismissed the criticism, redirecting focus to the government, which they blamed for “record debt, high inflation, rising unemployment, and three consecutive years of recession,” rather than the legal side jobs of some of its members.
Earlier this year, local media also reported on an ongoing investigation into the opulent lifestyle of former FPOe leader Heinz-Christian Strache, which the party had reportedly partially funded.
