Strong political reaction from Styria to statements by Minister of Green Infrastructure Leonore Gewessler to the “Krone”. Especially regarding the necessary extension of the A9 south of Graz, she confirmed: “We are not going to pour concrete here!” ÖVP Governor Christopher Drexler and his SPÖ deputy Anton Lang do not want to accept this under any circumstances.
“We demand very clearly: the Minister of Transport must finally give up the purely ideologically motivated blockade of important infrastructure projects for our country!” Governor Drexler and Vice Lang said indignantly on Sunday.
Gewessler is no to concreting
They were furious about the statements of Infrastructure Minister Leonore Gewessler of the Green Party to the “Steirekrone”. About new road construction projects after the opening of the S 7 in Eastern Styria and Burgenland, she said: “We owe it to future generations to take care of our livelihood. You must then have the courage to decide: we are not setting concrete stones here and are looking for better solutions.” And this no to concreting, Gewessler confirmed, also applies to the A9. The Greens about the “Krone”: “This is also what it’s about: do we want even more traffic and traffic jams or do we protect valuable agricultural land and work on sustainable mobility?”
Drexler and Lang’s collars burst
This burst the collars of the Styrian government leaders. Drexler and Lang are particularly bothered by “the same simple formulas that more roads would cause more traffic and traffic jams” and tell Gewessler: “Responsible politics for our country means dealing with the facts. It’s easy to fall back on simple formulas, but sensible government work requires us to look at the big picture.”
There is no alternative to expanding the A9
The traffic study of the State of Styria clearly shows “how important and necessary – in fact, how without an alternative – the extension of the A9 in the south of Graz is for Styria as a location.” One of the results is that traffic on the highway increases with a third lane. But not because this would shift alternative traffic from neighborhoods and city centers to where it belongs: “on the highway – without daily traffic jams”.
‘A Green minister must also recognize that’
“It’s about the Styrian quality of life in the communities!” emphasizes the ÖVP governor, before saying with rare sharpness to the member of the turquoise green federal government from Styria: “A green minister must finally recognize that!”
People in Gewessler’s home state are also offended by the “continued refusal to talk.” Drexler and Lang say: ‘While the minister shows an attitude of rejecting ways on principle in public appearances and interviews, this apparently also applies to open discussions and negotiations.’ Gewessler “can’t talk about hugely important projects forever.” Styria deny. She will also have to deal with issues “that are unpleasant for her and the Green Party.”
Accusation of refusing to talk
With the refusal to talk and simple formulas, the situation for the Styrians will “not improve an inch”. And just like in his ‘Styria speech’ last Monday, Governor Drexler used the heavy artillery against the minister: ‘I repeat myself: when it comes to a lifeline in Styria, when it comes to the 3rd lane on the A 9 , then Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler will also see how stubborn and stubborn we Styrians can be.”
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.
