Kurier, August 17, 2017
German Original: https://kurier.at/politik/inland/nr-wahl-psychoanalytiker-martin-engelberg-kandidiert-fuer-oevp/281.105.175
Kurz has offered him a space on the party’s federal list of candidates for parliament, where he is ranked as #11. Engelberg specifically wants to champion „lower taxes“ and combat „restrictions and paternalism by the state.“
The psychoanalyst and consultant Martin Engelberg will run for the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Party head and top candidate Sebastian Kurz has offered him a sport on the party’s federal list of candidates, where he is ranked in 11th place, he confirmed on Thursday vis-à-vis the Austrian Press Agency (APA). With his own faction „Chai Jewish Life,“ Engelbert is also a member of the board of the Jewish Community Vienna (IKG).
Next to his spot on the federal party list, Engelberg also runs as the fifth-ranked candidate on the Vienna city list, as he explained to APA. He called it an honorable invitation on Facebook. Regarding his motive, the psychoanalyst and consultant said: „my life has been characterized by a great interest in politics. Freedom, but also more personal responsibility of people are central to my liberal views on society and the economy.
„Fewer Taxes, Restrictions and Paternalism by the State“
Engelberg will specifically champion „fewer taxes, restrictions and paternalism by the state,“ – „and finally a committed defense of our values like democracy, the rule of law, gender equality, and the separation of state (politics) and religion.“ In addition, he deems the necessity of a „basic realignment of Austria“ as increasingly urgent.
In 2012, Engelberg won three mandates offhand on the board of the IKG with his list „Chaj – Jewish Life“ and during that campaign was recognized as a critic of its president at the time, Ariel Muzicant, and his list „Atid.“ Engelberg said he will decide next week if he will run again in the IKG elections this fall. He is married to the former news anchor and current director of the Jewish Museum, Danielle Spera.