The dispute over the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) between European Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) and Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) continues. After it became known at the beginning of this week that the European Ministry had withdrawn the NEKP submitted to the EU by the Ministry of the Environment, Edtstadler took the floor on Tuesday and called the actions of the Ministry of the Environment a “dangerous precedent”.
Under the hashtag “#SagenWasIst,” Edstadler wrote that neither the Ministry of Agriculture (BML) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs (BMAW), nor the Ministry of Finance (BMF) had approved the NEKP, and that the Federal Chancellery (BKA) had even “resolutely opposed to transmission in this form. The states that were also affected were not even contacted,” said the European minister.
It was about fundamental issues, the report continued, because domestic processes are the living implementation of the rule of law and democracy. “Anyone who ignores these processes deliberately ignores the law (in this specific case the Law on Federal Ministries) and, in the absence of the consent of the coalition partner, acts without a democratic basis. This is a dangerous precedent.” Democracy requires dialogue and joint solutions rather than going it alone, Edstadler noted.
A spokesperson for green energy disputes Edtstadler’s statements
Green Party energy spokesman Lukas Hammer responded to Edtstadler’s words: One can only shake one’s head at her “destructive behavior.” Instead of investing energy in our common climate goal, the coalition partner focuses on preventing climate protection.
“We continue to pollute and our tax money finances climate protection carried out in another country. What a crazy idea. I hope that the ÖVP will reconsider this and find its way back to the constructive path.” Criticism also came from “Fridays For Future”, which saw the European minister’s actions as “smoke grenades”.
The plan must be submitted no later than the end of July 2024
The final version of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP) must be submitted to the EU by 31 July 2024. Gewessler commented on Edtstadler on Monday, calling their approach “not appropriate”, the other ministries were involved in the NEKP and their suggestions were adopted. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) defended Edtstadler’s approach. “We have submitted the information in accordance with the Federal Ministry Act,” the Minister of Climate Protection said.
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.
