Nehammer persists, disregarding the apparent illogicality
Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer plans to carry on with the coalition with the Greens, despite a significant dispute over an EU environmental protection law. The coalition seems to be over, according to the OVP leader in Brussels. "If you ask me about my feelings: yeah, it's time, it's pointless," he told reporters. Previously, the Green Environmental Minister Leonore Gewessler supported the controversial EU environmental restoration law against the OVP's will.
This is "a major betrayal of trust," said Nehammer. Yet, collapsing the government just a few months before the parliamentary election could create chaos in the country. "I won't do that," he said. Austria is scheduled to vote for a new parliament on September 29.
In the morning, Gewessler, at an EU environmental ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, helped secure a majority for the controversial EU environmental restoration law with her vote. Straight after her vote, the OVP announced a police complaint against Gewessler for alleged misconduct. Moreover, the Chancellery plans to block the EU law with a nullity action before the European Court of Justice.
From the OVP's perspective, Gewessler acted illegally, disregarding other cabinet members and an existing veto of the Austrian state governors against the law. The vote of Gewessler "does not match the domestic will and could therefore not be given in a constitutionally sound manner," the Chancellery stated. "Nobody is above the law." Gewessler considers her action to be legally defensible.
Vice-Chancellor Kogler viewed the threatened legal actions "very, very calmly" in a statement. He is "fully confident that we will continue to work peacefully and with strength in the government".
Nehammer is facing extensive pressure. The OVP was surpassed by the right-wing and EU-skeptic FPO in the EU election and demoted to second place. In the September elections, the FPO is leading in the polls.
Read also:
- Despite the controversy surrounding Nature conservation issues and the EU environmental restoration law, Chancellor Karl Nehammer remains committed to maintaining the coalition with the Greens, acknowledging the upcoming elections in Austria on September 29.
- The ÖVP, led by its Brussels representative, has expressed feelings of betrayal after Green Environmental Minister Leonore Gewessler voted in favor of the EU environmental protection law, disregarding their opposition and the Austrian state governors' veto.
- Addressing the EU environmental ministers' meeting in Luxembourg, Gewessler played a crucial role in securing a majority for the controversial EU environmental restoration law, a move that has sparked legal actions and criticisms from the OVP, who view her actions as illegitimate and not representative of Austria's domestic will.
