An Austrian View

He is more circumspect about Gordon Brown. Grasser speaks respectfully about Brown’s economic record. ”But do you think he’ll make a good prime minister?” he asks. Dessert lets me off the hook. A giant frying pan of Moosbeernockn - think of pancakes, but more solid - appears. Although ordered by Swarovski, she has left early, leaving us with the task of demolishing the plate. I remind him he has a ski race ahead of him and needs the calories. He recommends vanilla ice-cream to wash it down.
In spite of the knocks the pact has received, Grasser remains convinced of the stability of its merits. ”Even the revised pact was better than nothing,” he says. ”It would be good for all European politicians to go to Shanghai to see how the world is really moving. They are really gaining competitiveness, and that’s what we have to face up to. We are too smug, we are not working hard enough.”
The mention of work takes me to my final topic: what is he planning to do next? Grasser has been said to be looking at investment banking and private equity, as well as positions in industry. Last month, he was elected chairman of a small Austrian specialist fund manager. He won’t be more specific about other plans. ”I’ve received some offers, and have left myself some time to decide.” He suggests his options may well involve working outside Austria - although Kitzbühel will remain a family base. ”And that’s why I expect to see you here next year,” he says, turning to me with a winning smile. ”For the race.”
Haig Simonian is the FT’s Switzerland and Austria correspondent.
Gasthaus Bärenbichl, Jochberg
2 x Fleischlaiberl
1 x Backhänderl
2 x Moosbeernockn
2 x vanilla ice cream
2 x espresso
2 x Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia
2 x bones (for the dogs)
Total: E228.20