Federal Chancellor Austriaconservative Karl Nehammer, started a scandal in his country by declaring that poor Austrian children can eat McDonald’s thanks to the modest prices of the famous fast food chain.

“What’s wrong with the parents? How does a child not receive hot meals in Austria? It’s unhealthy, but it’s cheap: a hamburger at McDonald’s,” the head of government said in a video recorded in July at an event with religious members of his party. People’s Party (ÖVP), and filtered to X (before Twitter) in this Wednesday.

Not only opposition partiesbut also “Greens”, partners Nehammer People’s Party (ÖVP) in the ruling coalition, as well as several NGOs, charities and unions This Thursday they reacted with harsh criticism to comments made by the chancellor during a drink.

In a tone of indignation, in addition to blaming parents when a child does not receive a “hot lunch”, general attacks on those who condemn rising child poverty, against women who supposedly don’t want to work full time and against tradition of negotiations between trade unions and employers.

“Whoever says that no one is hungry or cold in Austria has no idea about the reality of people,” he wrote on social networks. Mikhail Landau, President of Caritas Austria, the social assistance organization of the Catholic Church.

Austria’s child malnutrition problem is ‘not a myth’, child poverty expert agrees Hannah Lichtenberger this is a statement.

“When the chancellor (…) speaks poor families who should consider the hamburger semi-warm from a fast food restaurant as healthy nutrition, So it’s cynical.”– adds a note.

“In the video we see Federal Chancellor who despises the people for something for which he himself is responsible,” he said. Andreas Babler, leader of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), referring to his previous criticism that the Nehammer government did not accept effective measures to combat inflation, which is about 7% year on year.

Austrians deserve a chancellor who respects citizens, not just one “Loaded with 23 thousand euros per month “who judges them by drinking wine and eating cheese,” he added. Bubbler at a press conference in Vienna.

In his assessment, the leader of the Social Democrats practically coincides with his ultranationalist colleague. Herbert Kickle head also of the opposition FPÖ.

“A politician (…) who demonstrates such contempt for people suffering from poverty “He is not suitable for the position of federal chancellor,” he said.

In its turn, Nehammer This Thursday, he asserted self-defense in another post published on his social network account. Xafter his party confirmed the authenticity of the controversial video.

“Have you seen the discussion about my video on social networks?”– asks the leader of the Christian Democrats.

“I stand by the fact that Parents have a responsibility to care for their children. (…) Anyone who says that there is no hot meal for children in Austria puts this country in a bad light,” he said.

(according to information from EFE)