Austria Expands Record-Breaking Welfare State to Save Our Democracy™

Even bigger welfare state, more aggressive redistribution, higher taxes across the board… and a shiny new inheritance tax on top of already stripping most of people's money through income tax, VAT, and sky-high social contributions.

The current record-breaking social state just needs more fuel to finally stop voters from drifting the wrong way.

Meanwhile, Austria has already been downgraded by V-Dem from a liberal democracy to a mere electoral democracy - weakening liberal safeguards.

The proposed solution? Tax grandma's estate harder.

As NEOS EU so helpfully warned while waving the Hungary flag of pure evil: "The 'System Orbán' shows how democracy is being hollowed out: no independent judiciary, media under control, massive pressure on journalists, corruption, power concentration, intimidation. Europe must not look away!"

The best way to defend democracy is to point at a country with a much smaller social state (~16-18% of GDP on social protection) as the ultimate villain, while your own taxpayers keep funding the largest one on the continent.

Overall government size: Austria's total government expenditure is around 52% of GDP (vs. OECD average ~43%), with social protection eating up a huge chunk.

Sources:

Austria's record social spending chart: https://x.com/chr_hofer/status/2041449385045717437

NEOS EU sounding the Hungary democracy alarm: https://x.com/neos_eu/status/2041452296861589804861589804

Disclaimer: This is a satirical piece. vlgr is not a real news outlet - it's parody and exaggeration for entertainment purposes only. Read the linked source for actual facts.