After Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) went it alone with the EU Renaturation Act and the resulting criminal complaint against her, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) is now defending his party’s decision to continue the coalition to put – despite criticism.
By agreeing to the EU renaturation law, Gewessler committed a violation of the constitution. “Normally it would be a dismissal,” Sobotka said in the ORF press hour on Sunday. But they wanted to avoid chaos.
Sobotka justified the charges against Gewessler with the upcoming National Council elections. “How do you respond to a violation of the Constitution?” The approach to the complaint was contemporary. “If that had happened earlier, it would have been different.” When asked whether a new coalition with the Greens could be formed after the elections, he referred to statements by Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). On September 29 (Election Day, mind you) the cards and weights would be redistributed. Then you have to look again at where compromises are possible. However, Gewessler’s behavior excludes her as a person.
Shot against FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl
For Sobotka, the same still applies to FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl – both as a minister in a coalition and as future chairman of the National Council. But he himself would no longer be on the National Council, Sobotka recalled. Nehammer did offer him a mandate. Out of respect for his family, he has now decided not to run for office again after 42 years in politics.
“Political office involves public confrontation. That is not always pleasant for the family.” In the fall, Sobotka transferred to the ÖVP Party Academy as president – he ruled out participation in the next federal presidential elections.
Free play of power “never an advantage”
Shortly before the elections for the National Council, Sobotka again spoke out against a “free play of forces” in parliament. “At the end of a term, this has never been a benefit to a republic, but rather an uncontrolled spending of money to hand out election sweets.”
On the other hand, he advocated compromise in politics as a means to strengthen democracy. “In politics, a compromise is always described as negative.” But reaching each other is a value in itself. “You shouldn’t always only see the lowest common denominator.”
Sobotka described investigative committees in the National Council as “instruments of enlightenment and agitation.” He can certainly imagine reforms for future committees, such as a rotation in the presidency. There should also be discussion about the admission of the public and the definition of the topics of committees.
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.
