The Greens are calling for an end to the red blockade in the National Council. The new SPÖ boss Hans Peter Doskozil should find a solution here, otherwise the comrades would play into the hands of Vladimir Putin.
Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) on Sunday in the ORF “Press Hour” appealed to new SPÖ leader Hans Peter Doskozil to end the blocking of government projects that require a two-thirds majority in the National Council .
As an example, she cites the Sustainable Heat Act for phasing out fossil fuel heating installations. His SPÖ blockade “for party tactical reasons” is “doubly bitter”, but it also harms low-income people.
Green Secretary-General: “Must go back to the country’s future”
The Secretary General of the Greens, Olga Voglauer, also called on Doskozil to end the red blockade in the National Council. It was “high time” for the SPÖ to return to the negotiating table for important climate protection and transparency laws.
“With the #Heat Law, for example, we can promote our #independence in energy supply and free ourselves from the clutches of despots like Putin. That should also be in the interest of the SPÖ,” Voglauer tweeted.
How should Austria free itself from Putin?
On the gas supply side, Gewessler pushed for concrete steps to reduce Russian gas purchases. “Because doing nothing is also a decision. Doing nothing means risking remaining dependent,” says Gewessler. One possibility would be to separate the gas activities from OMV, so that the Republic can decide for itself where to buy the gas.
However, it is not only about obtaining natural gas elsewhere, but also about replacing it with electricity from wind and sun. “Going away from gas is also a move to renewables,” says Gewessler.
SPÖ energy spokesman Alois Schroll sees the Green Offensive as a “transparent attempt” to blame the social democrats for the federal government’s failure to lower prices or make appropriate proposals to combat the climate crisis. “The SPÖ is always ready for discussions and for exchanging constructive suggestions that can help people in times of crisis. However, the current federal government completely lacks the will to do so.”
Clear criticism from the EU
The European Union has recently clearly condemned Austria’s energy policy. According to the EU commission, the turquoise-green government has no “clearly defined short-term plan” for full decoupling of Russian gas imports.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has exposed the fragility of the country’s energy security, Brussels authorities recently stated in a report on the European Semester. Although Austria has been able to reduce its dependence, it is still well above the EU average.
Gewessler leaves the coalition issue open
Gewessler left open the question of whether she could gain anything from a traffic light coalition of SPÖ, Greens and NEOS, which had targeted Neo-SPÖ leader Doskozil after the next election. She has always clearly ruled out a coalition with the FPÖ, but the basic rule is: vote first, decide later, Gewessler said. Your line is clear: “Where most climate protection and social justice is in, that will be the coalition.”
In May, the SPÖ – still led by Pamela Rendi-Wagner – announced it would block votes in the National Council that require a two-thirds majority. And that is until the Turquoise-Green coalition takes “appropriate” measures against inflation in Austria from their point of view.
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.
