Austria's leader advocates against Germany forming a coalition with the Black-Green party.
Austrian Government Scandal: The Green Climate Minister defies Chancellor in Brussels, causing a legal rift. Chancellor plans to overturn law, party files complaint, warns Germans.
Three months before Austria's elections, the country is embroiled in a major government crisis. The Federal Chancellor, Karl Nehammer of the OVP, accuses the green Climate Minister, Leonore Gewessler, of a "legal breach" and "severe breach of trust" due to her unilateral approval of the contentious EU-Nature Restoration Law in Brussels.
Nehammer successfully averts a coalition collapse so close to election day. "I don't want the country to descend into chaos," he stated during a meeting with leading Austrian and German business representatives in the Viennese Chancellery on Tuesday evening. The right-wing FPO, the strongest force in Austria during the European election, plans to submit a motion of no confidence against the minister. Party leader Herbert Kickl was furious about "an unprecedented betrayal to Austrian farmers."
Nehammer relies on the state reason, but his anger towards the Greens is palpable. By the end of the coalition period, the Greens would expose their "true nature" and "ideology over the constitution." Nehammer is filing a nullity appeal with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to "rectify this injustice." The OVP also intends to sue Gewessler.
Comparison with Climate Hypocrites
The Chancellor likened the behavior of the green Minister to Climate Hypocrites. It's problematic for democracy when small groups and minorities set themselves apart, citing a higher morality over law and statute. The Greens would damage their reputation as potential coalition partners for the future.
Regarding his advice to the CDU in Germany for the 2025 Bundestag election based on his experiences, Nehammer stated, "I cannot recommend a black-green coalition to Germany." He justified this by citing a deep political culture divide between the bourgeoisie and the Greens. "The Greens practice politics from a feelings of moral superiority." This is hard to endure for pragmatic politics of the center.
The head of government criticized his coalition partner so openly because regular parliamentary elections were scheduled in Austria on September 29. A new black-green coalition is then highly unlikely. On one hand, it will not be enough for a black-green majority in all surveys. On the other hand, the relations between the OVP and the Greens are strained.
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In light of the ongoing government crisis, Austria's EU membership and future relations with the EU could be affected. Chancellor Karl Nehammer of the ÖVP has expressed concerns about Austria's Green Climate Minister, Leonore Gewessler, and her actions regarding the EU-Nature Restoration Law.
The Austrian Government crisis, led by Chancellor Nehammer, has formed a challenging context for Austria's representation in EU negotiations, as the country prepares for its upcoming elections.
