When the government was sealed between Sebastian Kurz and Werner Kogler five years ago, everyone thought that migration would be the biggest stumbling block on the turquoise-green path. Instead, the ÖVP and the Greens debated the climate most heatedly. And in the end it failed because of the problem.
Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler has long been a source of friction for the turquoise/blacks. Now it escalated. Because of Gewessler’s approval of the so-called EU renaturation law, against the will of the Chancellor’s party. The vote in Austria ultimately gives the green light for the law at EU level.
The People’s Party is now filing an annulment procedure with the Court of Justice against the EU regulation and reporting Gewessler for abuse of office. That’s it, the marriage of convenience has de facto been broken. The election campaign has not only begun, but has also reached its first inglorious peak.
An action for annulment is new legal territory
This development has a number of interesting aspects: The complaint about abuse of office against the minister shows the intensity of the collapse of the coalition. And a claim for annulment by an EU country is ‘new legal territory’, as European legal expert Walter Obwexer explained to the ‘Krone’.
Oberwexer believes there is certainly a chance for the lawsuit, especially since Chancellor Karl Nehammer had already written to the President of the Belgian Council before the vote that Minister Gewessler was not speaking on behalf of Austria and that she was essentially ignoring “domestic political decision-making.” The background is the disputes between the states. Initially, all countries were against the renaturation law, but recently there were dissenters such as mighty Vienna.
In this context, it is also important that Gewessler’s yes ultimately made the law possible. A particularly explosive constellation, as the lawyer also notes. However, a decision on the law is unlikely before 2026.
“Real government crisis”
Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) found clear words for the green initiative: it was a violation of the constitution and a “real government crisis”. The minister did not want to rule out an early end to the coalition for the time being. Chancellor Nehammer, who was in Brussels, announced a statement in the early evening. His vice-chancellor Werner Kogler responded with his own letter to the Belgian presidency of the Council. Also signed by party friend Gewessler.
Kogler regrets that Belgium is becoming involved in the internal Austrian conflicts. Furthermore, Nehammer’s allegations are legally incorrect. The Chancellor has no directing power in Austria, so Gewessler was authorized to vote yes today. A similar reaction was experienced from Belgium to Nehammer’s initiative. Meaning: The minister has voted on what is happening in Austria, please make a decision.
Experts analyze
But what does this episode mean for the parties involved? “The Greens have managed to make their issue a top priority before the elections. And thus appeal to your customer base. It is an important signal for your own voters,” says political scientist Katrin Praprotnik. The decision therefore poses a manageable risk for the Greens, even if the government collapses prematurely. Because what is important – especially just before the elections – is your own balance on the core question. So climate.
An end to the coalition would be a dangerous game, especially for the ÖVP. Then there would be a game of “free forces”. And unstable conditions so close to the election would be counterproductive.
For political advisor Peter Plaikner, it was a “conscious and strategic action by the Greens”. And about a smart tactical move. Leonore Gewessler would also gain profile. “Especially important because this was the starting point for the Schilling case. Gewessler was initially considered the best candidate, but then declined. Only then could Lena Schilling ultimately become the top candidate.”
Plaikner sees this current episode as a continuation of recent events. Kogler recently contradicted the ÖVP’s statement that an EU commissioner must automatically come from the ÖVP. Peter Plaikner: “One thing is certain. From now on there will be transgressions and wrongdoings of revenge. Maybe the yellow cards will be handed out after the elections.”
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.
