Wants to work together – Kogler about Nehammer: “We are not in kindergarten”

In the APA interview, Kogler rejected the fact that the Greens had endangered the government by voting yes to the EU-level renaturation law shortly before their party conference for an election campaign maneuver: “We have weighed the matter to the best of our knowledge and belief” , he emphasizes. “It was a crucial decision for nature, for the whole of Europe. Austria and we made the decision.” There is no temporal connection between the Federal Congress and the vote.

Kogler answers Chancellor
The ÖVP reacted extremely angrily to Environment Minister Gewessler’s solo effort, and the coalition was on the rocks. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) spoke of a “more than serious breach of trust” and the Greens had shown their “true face”. But he did not dare to declare the government’s work as over. “Our true face is that we are passionate about climate, environment and nature conservation and are committed to this,” Kogler countered. He referred to other green achievements such as the climate card or the plastic deposit.

Kogler is “very calm” about the People’s Party’s announced complaint against Gewessler for abuse of office. “After all, all steps are legally recorded,” confirmed the leader of the Green Party.

I want to do many more projects
On Wednesday, the ÖVP and the Greens did not want to meet in person during the weekly cabinet meeting, but Kogler assumes that joint appearances will take place again. Finally, there are still some projects underway in the National Council. He is “convinced and confident” that ÖVP club boss August Wöginger and the Green club boss Sigrid Maurer will successfully implement projects such as wages instead of pocket money for the disabled, community billions or better positions for students.

Despite the division, Kogler believes that further planned laws will be put in place, such as a faster ban on fully slatted floors in pig farming. It is also unclear how the final third of the partial elimination of cold progression will be distributed. Moreover, the Electricity Sector Act is still being discussed. Moreover, there is still a lot to do when it comes to phasing out Russian gas, Kogler said – a core concern of Energy Minister Gewessler.

When asked whether he seriously believes that the ÖVP and the Greens will implement projects specifically from Gewessler’s areas, Kogler replied: It’s about shared responsibility, “it’s not about the ÖVP itself or any annoying officials.” After all, we are “constantly dealing with irritations in the ÖVP”. Chancellor Nehammer actually acts very responsibly. “Please, we are not in kindergarten or at a youth camp where people are insulting. Our government program is called ‘Responsibility for Austria’, and that is exactly what we will continue to live for.”

By the way, there have been “much bigger crises” in the turquoise-green coalition, Kogler recalled the turbulence surrounding ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP). Then as now, both the Chancellor and the Greens are in “constant contact with the Federal President, as a group of three”.

Agreement on EU Commissioner no longer applies
Renaturation hasn’t been the only issue lately where the Greens have rejected their coalition partner. Kogler recently stated that he no longer felt bound by the side letter that the ÖVP granted the appointment of the EU commissioner. The Vice Chancellor pointed out that the law requires an agreement in the Council of Ministers and a majority in the main committee. “We will also strive for an agreement and that will happen.” But it has been clear to him for some time that the side letter is no longer valid because “the preconditions are no longer met”. The Vice Chancellor would not say what these were.

Kogler is “relaxed” about the hot fall election
Further participation of the Greens in the government has become even more unlikely after the events of recent days. However, Kogler seems to be ‘relaxed’. In the autumn, people campaign for climate and nature protection, but also for ‘economic reasons’ and social security – ‘this mix only exists among the Greens.’ After the elections, we need to look at “what democratic majorities make possible,” Kogler said.

The ÖVP has been so angry since Sunday that Gewessler is already being compared to FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl. The Governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP), stated that he could only see the Greens as a possible coalition partner without Gewessler after the National Council elections. Kogler is not impressed: “We don’t get involved in something like that at all.” If you become so strong in the elections that you play a role in government negotiations, “then, with Leonore Gewessler.”