In the run-up to the spring summit of the EU, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen apparently distances himself from Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) on a number of relevant points. This is evident from notes of a conversation between Van der Bellen and the top EU representative in Austria, Martin Selmayr, which became public on Wednesday evening. The discrepancies are related to Nehammer’s Schengen veto and his no to the ban on internal combustion engines for cars.
In a conversation with Selmayr “recently”, Van der Bellen is said to have emphasized his belief that Romania, like Bulgaria, is ready to join the border-free Schengen zone. “I am concerned about Austria’s reputation with our European partners and the consequences of this,” the “Kleine Zeitung” quoted from the note sent by the president’s office upon request.
Schengen: “It’s about real orders, real sales, real jobs”
At the same time, referring to voices from the domestic economy, Van der Bellen expressed his concern about the loss of jobs as a result of the valid Schengen veto: “It’s about real orders, real sales and real jobs. Both in Romania and here in Austria.”
Provide a signal to healthcare providers
The Federal President is also concerned about the signal sent to the nursing staff, who in many cases commute from Romania to Austria: “If we signal these people now: ‘You are not welcome’, it will start a development that touches people.” who need care in Austria and their families will have negative consequences.” A Schengen accession of the two eastern countries does not conflict with the control of the EU’s external borders: “Of course we need to know who is entering the EU and Austria, who is applying for asylum. And of course the EU must guard its external borders.”
Combustion Dispute: “Playback Gets Us Nowhere”
The former head of Nehammer’s current coalition partner, the Greens, was also skeptical about the planned ban on internal combustion engines in cars from 2035: “If individual states, be it Germany, Austria or other countries, start spelling back here, that brings us nowhere. I therefore hope that a sustainable solution can also be found in the field of drive technology for passenger cars.”
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.
