The dispute about the climate bonus for asylum seekers within the coalition has now escalated. ÖVP Secretary General Laura Sachslehner once again called on the Greens to change the law so that asylum seekers are no longer included in the payment of 500 euros. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (both Green) vehemently contradicted themselves on Thursday. On Friday, Sachslehner renewed her demand and openly threatened her coalition partner: “The Greens must move here. Otherwise, a red line has been crossed for the People’s Party. As a people’s party, we cannot and do not want to accept that.”
Sachslehner finds it incomprehensible why the Greens are so stubborn. Kogler’s (and also Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler’s) statements are unacceptable to the People’s Party. “It is unacceptable that asylum seekers who have not yet deposited a cent into the system and who may have received a negative decision and have to leave the country, are rewarded with a gift of money,” Sachslehner criticized.
“A Matter of Justice”
For them, it is a matter of justice that the climate bonus law must be changed quickly and that there are no more benefits to asylum seekers. “It is high time to act and stop this waste of taxpayers’ money.” For Sachslehner, the question arises as to what extra costs asylum seekers must compensate with the climate bonus. “Many of them are in government-organized accommodation. This means that the high energy prices are not noticeable to them at all,” emphasized Sachslehner.
Kogler objects: ‘Legal situation clear’
Kogler referred to the “clear legal situation” on Thursday. The government partner ÖVP eventually voted. The climate bonus will benefit anyone who has lived in Austria for at least six months, the vice-chancellor reminded. That is why it is also a “very extensive group”. He also finds that “correct” and “objectively defined”, emphasizes Kogler. “There was a government law introduced, there was a decision of the National Council, there was a decision of the Federal Council. And everywhere the ÖVP seems to me to be represented here with a majority”, Kogler took on the task of coalition partner ÖVP and described the facts as “clear and clear”.
Asylum policy: FPÖ offer to ÖVP
The coalition agreement with the Greens also allows you to take decisions on migration policy together with other parties. And the FPÖ this week made an offer to the People’s Party to jointly decide on asylum issues in parliament. FPÖ security spokesman Hannes Amesbauer: “We need to act now, we need sustainable solutions.”
Whether a joint action with the FPÖ could actually be achieved, Sachslehner referred to the field of “coffee mess reading”. There is currently nothing planned in this direction, but there is a reason for this passage in the government program. Overall, though, you have a very well-functioning coalition with the Greens.
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
