But wants "no chaos"

“Breach of trust!”: Chancellor furious with the Greens

(Bild: Screenshot/on.orf.at)

For Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), Greens Minister Leonore Gewessler has committed a "breach of the law" and a "serious breach of trust" with her approval of the EU renaturation law. However, he does not want to end the coalition prematurely. Because: "I don't want the country to sink into chaos." And: he also leaves "bonus points" for this, he says. Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) also speaks of responsibility for the country and is convinced that they will "pull themselves together" again.

Nehammer also wanted to address "clear words" to the government partner from Brussels: "Today we have witnessed a minister breaking the law." This "breach of the law" must also be punished, explained the head of government, referring to both the action for annulment and the action for abuse of office.

However, despite the "serious breach of trust", Nehammer does not want to end government work with the Greens prematurely in order to prevent the country from "sinking into chaos". The game of free forces would cost taxpayers many billions, the Chancellor explained.

Karl Nehammers sends "clear words" from Brussels.

(Bild: Screenshot/on.orf.at)

Greens have shown their "true colors"
However, the ÖVP leader also gave a deep insight into his emotional world and emphasized that the Greens had shown "their true face". They would sacrifice justice for their ideology. If you were to ask him on an emotional level, the answer would be: "It doesn't make sense anymore."

Nehammer also commented on Platform X: 

Kogler: "This is simply not a question of ideology"
One hour after the head of government's statement, Vice-Chancellor Kogler also reacted with a public appearance in front of running cameras and emphasized that the renaturation law was the "most important nature conservation law in the world" and that approval was "not a question of ideology, but of responsibility". "Food security is only possible with an intact natural environment," continued Kogler. After all, who would protect the climate, the environment and nature "if not us"? Because while all parties talk about climate protection in Sunday speeches, "concreting" is done during the week.

Kogler once again pointed out that, from his party's point of view, all the steps taken by his ministerial colleague were legally secure. Regarding the coalition crisis, the Greens' federal spokesperson commented: "We have often had difficult moments. But we have always pulled together out of a sense of responsibility for Austria. I am convinced that we will succeed this time too."

However, the fact that no well-known ÖVP federal politician has publicly uttered the word "coalition break" does not mean that the party is not thinking internally about leaving the unpopular coalition. A number of people in the party are so angry that they are pushing for a break, it was said behind closed doors on Monday.

The premature dissolution of the coalition would probably have brought me a few percentage points, perhaps even the decisive percentage points. However, I am not available for show politics, I am responsible for the stability of the country, I cannot and will not score cheap points on the back of our country. That is not what I stand for as a politician and Chancellor of our Republic!

Karl Nehammer zur „Krone“

On the other hand, however, there are only three and a half months left until the National Council elections. In the remaining time, the ÖVP still has a lot to get done - several projects are ready for decision in the National Council, and the appointment of the EU Commissioner still needs to be finalized.

Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler made the EU renaturation law possible in the first place with her vote in the EU Council of Ministers.

(Bild: SEPA.Media/Michael Indra)

Basically, the question revolves around how Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer wants to position himself in the election campaign, according to reports from within the party. Leaving the coalition so shortly before the election, although the party has always promised to work through the full legislative period, could be interpreted as chaos by Nehammer's competitors during the election campaign.

State leaders cautious for the time being
While Vorarlberg's Governor Markus Wallner (ÖVP) had already spoken of a "breach of coalition" on Sunday in the run-up to the vote in Brussels, the other heads of state were somewhat more reserved. A ministerial indictment due to Gewessler's approval, which would require identical resolutions from all provincial parliaments, is not yet being aggressively pursued by the provinces, at least for the time being.

FPÖ announces motion of censure against Gewessler
While the SPÖ and NEOS welcomed Gewessler's approval, the FPÖ announced a motion of censure against the minister. Party leader Herbert Kickl was outraged by the "unprecedented betrayal of Austrian farmers".

This is what the controversial law says
On Monday, the Council of EU environment ministers approved the controversial renaturation law by a narrow majority. In future, member states will have to submit plans on how at least 30 percent of the defined habitats can be transformed from "poor" to "good" status by 2030 as a first step. In addition, one fifth of land and marine areas are to be restored by 2030. There should be more biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems.

Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler explained on his Instagram page why the renaturation law is so important for Austria and Europe:

'In the current version, some criticism from the agricultural sector has been taken into account. For example, there are exceptions when it comes to ensuring that enough food is produced.