The Green Party minister agreed to a far-reaching EU environmental law. The Chancellor’s party was furious and took an unusual step. But it came to nothing.
Austria’s conservative chancellor party ÖVP has suffered a legal defeat in a coalition dispute over an EU environmental law. The ÖVP had filed a complaint against Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler in June for alleged abuse of office after the Green politician had agreed to the EU renaturation law. As the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced, no investigations have been initiated.
The prosecution dropped the complaint because this case was about legislation and not an official matter. Therefore, no initial suspicion was established, a spokeswoman for the public prosecutor’s office told the German Press Agency. The weekly newspaper “Falter” had previously reported on this decision.
Majority for EU law thanks to Gewessler
With Gewessler’s approval, a narrow majority was reached among the EU states in favor of the far-reaching law, which is intended to restore forests, moors and other natural areas. From the ÖVP’s point of view, Gewessler acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally. The environmental politician ignored a veto from the federal states and did not coordinate her move with the conservative agriculture minister, the conservatives argued.
The conflict between the coalition partners flared up during the pre-election campaign for the parliamentary elections on September 29. Both parties are under pressure to mobilize their voters: In the polls, the right-wing FPÖ has been leading the ÖVP for months. According to pollsters, the Greens are only in fifth place behind the liberal Neos.
Source: Stern
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