Many already cash-strapped cities and municipalities in Austria are seeing the next avalanche of costs coming their way – in the form of the controversial renaturation ordinance. That is why, as a precaution, they are already calling for full reimbursement of the costs from the Ministry of Climate Protection.
Municipal council chairman Johannes Pressl emphasized that three-quarters of municipalities already have problems managing their budgets. It is to be feared that the renaturation ordinance will also have major consequences for cities and communities. “We will no longer allow municipalities to automatically take over the financing of any new measure decided by the EU, the federal government or the states. “That is no longer possible in the long term,” says Pressl.
Gewessler must “stand up for the citizens”
In terms of content, the chairman of the municipal association was also concerned about the practical feasibility of the renaturation: “I would like everyone who has now made the decision from a ‘safe distance’ to continue to stand for local citizens in the near future. -up discussions when it comes down to it Dismantling, basic use or restriction of rights is possible.” At the same time, the ÖVP politician called for communities to be involved in the national implementation from the start. “This is not provided for in the text of the EU decision, but it is crucial for us,” Pressl said.
The ÖVP has filed a complaint about abuse of office
His party has now prepared a complaint about abuse of office against Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), which will be submitted to the Vienna public prosecutor’s office on Thursday. In the complaint, which is available to the APA, the ÖVP accuses its coalition partner of “knowingly exercising its authority (…) improperly” by agreeing to the EU Renaturation Regulation, because it has no agreement reached with the federal states and the ÖVP-led Ministry of Agriculture.
Gewessler is “calm about legal action”
Gewessler’s yes to the renaturation ordinance caused the government to falter, but Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) ultimately decided not to let the coalition collapse. However, the ÖVP announced both an annulment procedure at the Court of Justice and the aforementioned abuse of office complaint against Gewessler. The minister himself remained unimpressed. “I am very calmly looking forward to possible legal action,” Gewessler told journalists on the sidelines of the “Austrian World Summit” (AWS) in Vienna. She had agreed to the renaturation law in accordance with the law, “and I follow not only the legal situation, but also the long-standing practice,” she emphasized, referring, for example, to the veto of Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP ) against Romania’s accession to Schengen, supported by the Greens and Bulgaria. Gewessler once again praised the renaturation decision as a “victory for nature.”
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.
