While the Last Generation considers launching investigations against itself as “repression” or “criminalization of peaceful protests,” the Chancellor’s Party supports the prosecution. “I think it is right and important that the rule of law actually sends a strong signal here,” Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Monday.
The form of the protest does not serve the “important cause of climate protection”. Now action will be taken with full legal consequences against “those who ignore everything, who believe that no rules apply to them and who have inconvenienced tens of thousands of people,” Nehammer criticized at a joint press conference with his Czech counterpart Petr Fiala. Youth State Secretary Claudia Plakolm and Vienna state party chairman Karl Mahrer (both ÖVP) made similar statements.
The FPÖ took the same position on Monday: traffic spokesman and general secretary Christian Hafenecker described the procedure for establishing a criminal organization as “way overdue.” He repeated well-known calls for harsher punishments for the activists. “This has absolutely nothing to do with civil society protest or legitimate activism,” Hafenecker said in a broadcast.
Public Prosecution Service: “Non-minor material damage”
The Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office justified the launch of an investigation on suspicion of forming a criminal organization at a “new level” that the climate activists’ protests had reached. Public prosecutor Judith Ziska explained that recent actions have led to “not insignificant material damage.” This refers to property damage “targeting essential parts of critical infrastructure,” Ziska continued.
Protests that began on November 20 caused widespread traffic chaos on areas including the southern motorway (A2), the south-eastern tangent (A23), the ring road and other city entrances to Vienna. The demonstrators used a mixture of sand and super glue to concrete themselves on the southern highway (A2) and on the Vienna Ring.
Despite the investigation, protests will continue until the Climate Council’s recommendations are implemented, as activist Laila Fuisz emphasized. “We are committed to continuing actions until the government begins to implement the Climate Council’s recommendations,” spokeswoman Marina Hagen-Canaval added.
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.
