After Italy’s Transport Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini (Lega), announced a lawsuit at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over Tyrol’s anti-transit measures, the Tyrolean state parliament showed unity. In a proposal from the state parliament, the parties unanimously spoke out against Salvini on Thursday and supported the country’s “emergency measures” to regulate heavy traffic. It was demanded that all legal options be exhausted.
The application was approved by members of all parties represented in the state parliament: ÖVP, SPÖ, FPÖ, List Fritz, Greens and NEOS. Without the traffic restrictions, it is feared that a “traffic collapse” with “far-reaching consequences for the Tyrolean population can no longer be prevented”. “Minister Salvini’s appeal to the European Court of Justice will not change Tyrol’s attitude.” At the same time, the application also calls on the state government to continue working on “new, constructive solutions” together with South Tyrol and Bavaria.
Tyrolean Governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) had called for a “clear signal to Rome”. “Tyrol will not allow itself to be pressured by Matteo Salvini and run over by the Italian transit lobby,” the country’s leader said. Salvini’s visit to the Brenner Pass, announced for Monday, only serves to “scare Tyrol”. The Tyrolean ÖVP leader promised that the state would not deviate from the measures. “I will justify, explain and defend the anti-transit measures before every institution in the world,” Mattle emphasized.
“The limit has been reached”
Mr Salvini “will only get to know us if we close the Brenner,” said Labor MP Evelyn Achhorner (FPÖ). “Where are the climate adhesives when you need them?” Achhorner smugly proposed a blockade campaign. “The limit of what people can tolerate has been reached,” List-Fritz party leader Andrea Haselwanter-Schneider said angrily. What “Mr. Salvini” wants does not matter to her, she emphasized: “When it comes to traffic, Mr. Salvini is messing with the wrong people.”
Green club leader Gebi Mair described the current proposal as a “minimal compromise” that could be agreed upon. However, what can be done about transit has not yet been ‘exhausted’. On behalf of the NEOS, club president Dominik Oberhofer explained his party’s support for the application: “I don’t know why we are always afraid of lawsuits.” He suggested that Bavaria should be followed as an example “by way of exception.”
Salvini puts pressure, Gewessler is behind Tirol
After Italy announced a lawsuit against Austria at the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over Tyrol’s anti-transit measures, Salvini recently increased pressure on the government in Vienna. State elections will take place in South Tyrol and Trentino on October 22. Salvini is apparently planning three election campaign appearances in South Tyrol, the first of which will be in Bolzano and the Brenner Pass on Monday.
Austrian Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) reacted sharply to Salvini’s lawsuit announcement to the APA two weeks ago. “He clearly does not care about the situation of the people in the entire Tyrol region,” the minister said. But Gewessler was also calm: “The Tyrolean emergency measures exist for a reason. They protect the Tyroleans. To me it is clear: if we want to make progress, we must take the population seriously.”
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.
