The dispute over Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler and the EU renaturation law recently led to a government crisis. However, it was not the first time that conflicts within the turquoise-green coalition were played out publicly. The “Krone” has an overview.
The formation of a government following the National Council elections in September 2019 established a coalition between the People’s Party and the Greens for the first time. Before the inauguration in January 2020, then government leader Sebastian Kurz spoke of the ‘best of both worlds’. However, the current situation once again reveals the deep disagreements between the coalition partners, ranging from the corona pandemic to the climate crisis. protection law.
Corona pandemic
During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were repeated discussions about how to handle safety measures and school openings. The Greens advocated strict hygiene measures and careful openings. The People’s Party called for swift action to minimize educational disadvantages and social impacts on children. The central figure in the pandemic was the Green Minister of Health Rudolf Anschober. As a result of the heavily criticized crisis communications and the lifting of the measures of the first lockdown by the Constitutional Court, polls began to drop significantly in autumn 2020. In April 2021, Anschober announced his resignation due to health concerns. His successor Wolfgang Mückstein was not exactly happy with this and resigned after just eleven months.
Migration and asylum policy
In January 2021, well-integrated students from Armenia and Georgia were deported. This happened amid massive protests from human rights groups and sections of the public. The then Minister of the Interior Karl Nehammer defended the approach, but was sharply criticized by the Greens. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler and Justice Minister Alma Zadic publicly called for a more humane migration policy.
Corruption investigation
The Public Prosecution Service carried out searches in the Federal Chancellery and the ÖVP offices in October 2021. This was caused by accusations that Kurz and those around him had misused public resources for party political interests. The Chancellor and his People’s Party denied the accusations and spoke of a politically motivated campaign. There were calls for more transparency and the preservation of the independent judiciary. These incidents led to a serious coalition crisis, with the Greens questioning their participation in government. After intensive negotiations, both parties agreed to move forward together. The condition was that Kurz resigned as Chancellor and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg took over.
Tax reform
The Greens’ conditions for tax reform were ambitious carbon prices and investments in climate protection. The People’s Party supported these demands, but at the same time advocated business-friendly compensation measures and tax cuts. The negotiations were very difficult and lasted until October 2021, at which time the “eco-social tax reform” was completed.
Lobau Tunnel
The planned construction of the Vienna Lobau Tunnel led to enormous controversy. The People’s Party considered the project necessary for traffic lighting and economic development. Green Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler, on the other hand, stopped the project in November 2021 because it was harmful to the environment and not in line with climate goals. This led to a large-scale conflict with the affected states of Vienna and Lower Austria, as well as with the ÖVP.
Justice
The ÖVP and the Greens are also unable to find common ground in the debate on judicial reform. To promote the independence of the judiciary, the Minister of Justice should be replaced as the top of the chain of command for prosecutors. Parties differ on the question of who should take on this role.
Climate Protection Act
There has been no valid climate protection law in Austria for more than three years. The old arrangement expired in 2020, and a new one has been negotiated since the start of government cooperation. The plan to legally anchor the desired ‘climate neutrality in 2040’ was actually included in the government program, but has not yet been implemented. The issues of climate and environmental protection were an ongoing topic between the ÖVP and the Greens throughout the parliamentary term. In addition to the Climate Protection Act, the Electricity Industry Act and the Renewable Energy Expansion Acceleration Act also ultimately remained pending.
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.
