Despite a genuine coalition, nothing happens between the ÖVP and Green Minister Leonore Gewessler. Since she voted yes to the EU renaturation law, the People’s Party has been attacking the 46-year-old continuously. The constitutional spokesman of the ÖVP, Wolfgang Gerstl, even described her as a “public threat” and suggested that she resign immediately.
In mid-June, Gewessler voted in favour of the renaturation regulation in the Council of EU States, against the wishes of his coalition partner ÖVP, which was subsequently approved by a narrow majority.
WKStA investigates ÖVP complaint against Gewessler
The People’s Party then filed a complaint of abuse of office against the Green minister, because it had not reached an agreement with the states and the ÖVP-led Ministry of Agriculture. The complaint will be investigated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKStA). The ÖVP did not support a motion of no confidence against Gewessler by the FPÖ in July.
“Gewessler breaks through federalism”
Gewessler broke with federalism and refused to recognize the uniform position of the states – “knowing that this could only have been withdrawn by a new uniform declaration,” said Gerstl, who accused the minister of shifting responsibility to Vienna.
Gewessler: “No obligation to reach an agreement”
In her answer to the question, Gewessler justifies her decision to speak in favour of the renaturation regulation, as opposed to a negative state declaration, by saying that Vienna was disregarded. The capital had supported renaturation after a change of course. “If there is no longer a uniform position of the states, there will no longer be a uniform position of the states,” it says. There is also “no obligation to reach an agreement” with the Ministry of Agriculture on the final voting behaviour in the EU Council.
“Minister has broken the law”
“The minister has acted irresponsibly and broken the law. She would do well to resign immediately before she is voted out by the voters,” Gerstl concluded.
The ÖVP refers to the legal opinion of the Constitutional Office of the Federal Chancellery. However, this resolved the legal issue “inaccurately”, according to Gewessler’s answer to the question. A binding effect of the legal opinion of the Constitutional Office is also not intended.
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.
