After a Corona-related delay, the new Minister of Agriculture Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) is now in office. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen swore the 47-year-old farmer coordinator from East Tyrol into the office of the president on Wednesday. “I’m glad you’ve recovered,” Van der Bellen opened the ceremony.
The Federal President discussed the new minister’s duties in detail and spoke about the challenging times ahead – especially with regard to the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis. Finally, Van der Bellen wished the new minister “all the best and every success”.
No sworn in after corona test
After the resignation of Agriculture Minister Elisabeth Köstinger and Economic Affairs Minister Margarete Schramböck last week, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (all ÖVP) presented the new members of his government team the next day. But unlike digital Secretary of State Florian Tursky, Secretary of State for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler and Labor Minister Martin Kocher, who also received the economic agenda, Totschnig was surprisingly unable to be sworn in last Wednesday because he had tested positive for Corona.
Just in time for the scheduled presentation of the new members in the National Council on Wednesday morning, Totschnig’s swearing was finally over. After being sworn in, Totschnig immediately stormed into the plenary hall.
Many resolutions in the National Council
In addition to getting to know the newcomers, there are also several resolutions pending in the National Council, such as increasing student grants or changing welfare, allowing states to adopt more generous regulations. Budgetary provisions have to be made, especially because of the war in Ukraine. A deficit of 3.1 percent of GDP is planned for this year instead of the 2.3 percent planned when the budget was drawn up. Various special corona rules are being expanded, from vaccinations by paramedics to the basis for conducting screening programs.
Source: Krone
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