Leonore Gewessler (Greens) traveled to Canada on Wednesday to participate in the UN conference on species protection. In domestic domestic politics, this is not well received by everyone. For example, SPÖ deputy club boss Jörg Leichtfried said he understands the climate protection minister’s commitment to species conservation, but criticizes Gewessler’s recent absence from the National Council. The Greens politician was absent on 15 of the 29 parliamentary days that affect her files.
On Wednesday, at the beginning of the session of the National Council, Leichtfried was very upset about the absence of Gewessler, who has been excused for the trip to the Canadian metropolis of Montreal. “Of course, the struggle for the conservation of species is essential, and social democracy is also fighting this struggle. But that’s not what today is about. The point is that a minister was absent on 15 of the 29 parliamentary days that affect her files,” said Leichtfried.
Leichtfried signals “lack of respect”
This is “a lack of respect for parliamentary democracy, for the voters”, because “ministers have to answer the questions of the MPs”, Leichtfried stressed. Parliament’s meeting schedules have been known for a long time and in the run-up to these plenary sessions, the opposition has done everything possible to enable the minister to attend the agenda items of her department by changing the agenda. “But people had the feeling that this is not desirable at all.”
The SPÖ, like the NEOS, therefore demanded that matters concerning Minister Gewessler be removed from the agenda of these meetings. This was rejected by a majority of the governing parties.
Gewessler campaigns for species protection in Canada
Gewessler wants to campaign for a new conservation goal during the talks at the ‘High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People’ conference on species protection. By 2030, 30 percent of the planet’s land and sea areas must be protected. The 15th UN Conference on Endangered Species is now taking place in Canada after a two-year postponement due to the corona pandemic. New targets for the protection of global biodiversity will be negotiated with ministers from 138 countries around the world.
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.
