Four days before deadline – Gewessler gives confidant a top job worth 10,000 euros

Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) has initiated a rather remarkable appointment of positions. One of her closest confidantes, Cornelia Breuss, will become the new head of the Mobility Department of the Ministry of Climate Protection from 19 August 2024. Breuss has many years of expertise in infrastructure policy, strategy development, public affairs and international relations.

“Very suitable”
The 48-year-old from Vorarlberg was unanimously recommended by the appointment committee as “very suitable”. In this role, Breuß succeeds Herbert Kasser, who moved to Asfinag as a board member in June. He is also considered a close confidant of the Green Minister. At Autobahn AG, he earns no less than 344,000 euros. According to a parliamentary question, he earned at least 273,000 euros at the ministry – also more than the minister.

FPÖ: “It couldn’t be clearer”
For many, this has a bitter aftertaste. “Before voters throw the Greens out of government via the ballot box on September 29, Gewessler quickly provides his favorites with top jobs in government – ​​Postenschacher can’t get any clearer than that,” says Christian Hafenecker, Secretary General of the FPÖ. indignantly. This “obsession with power and greed” is “the last glue” that binds the ÖVP and the Greens together.

Explosive timing
The timing is also interesting. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen had announced that he would no longer approve political appointments from 9 July. The Ministry of Climate reports that the appointment of Breuss had nothing to do with this, but was already underway at the end of April, before the president’s announcement.