The opposition has been denied a pre-Christmas present in the form of early elections. Two corresponding motions by SPÖ and FPÖ were approved by NEOS in the National Council on Tuesday afternoon, but not by the coalition parties. SP club boss Pamela Rendi-Wagner had demanded: “End the suffering.” FP mandatary Christian Hafenecker spoke of the “worst federal government of all time”.
Rendi-Wagner was referring, among other things, to double-digit inflation. In addition, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) allowed himself to be presented with asylum issues by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and came across the Schengen veto without a plan.
The FPÖ added criticism because of the Russian sanctions and saw Austria engulfed in a “migration wave”. The NEOS joined the criticism. Secretary General Douglas Hoyos said nothing goes beyond anything — from corruption laws to the Renewable Heat Act: “The best of both worlds is nothing.” The coalition unanimously rejected the allegations.
Nehammer trades blows with Kickl
The National Council’s “Current Hour” turned out to be a kind of general debate about the issues of the times. The FPÖ had specified asylum and sanctions and, in the person of party leader Herbert Kickl, became enthusiastic about “migration of people” and “war incitement”. Chancellor Nehammer defended the Schengen veto with EU criticism. The SPÖ, in turn, spoke about social injustice, the Greens about a far-right terror network and the NEOS about the VP’s finances.
The chancellor then gave a speech that was unusually long for a “current hour”, trying to explain to Kickl who was actually responsible for the crisis. If there were no war, there would be no sanctions, there would be no energy speculation – and without war there would be no suffering.
Schengen veto defended again
The head of government then took more time to explain why Austria had prevented Romania and Bulgaria from joining Schengen. Because Austria is exceptionally burdened by refugees and the Union is not helping enough, it is necessary for Austria to take the initiative itself. He requested financial assistance from Bulgaria to build a border fence. The Commission is “too slow” here.
Today’s session marks the beginning of the last plenary week of the National Council this year. At the same time, these are the last conferences in the alternative neighborhoods in the Hofburg. From January, the meetings will again take place in the – now completely renovated – main building on the Ring.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
