Rejection of Gewessler

The chancellor’s election goal? “I want to be first!”

No free play of forces: Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) wants to work together with the Greens until the end of the legislative period.

(Bild: APA/Helmut Fohringer)

Despite some differences with the Greens (climate plan, end of combustion engines, renaturation law), Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) wants to stick with the turquoise-green coalition until the end of the legislative period. On "ZiB 2" on Thursday evening, however, he once again sharply criticized Minister Leonore Gewessler. The ÖVP leader also revealed his declared goal in the National Council elections.

Nehammer's goal with the People's Party on September 29 was to gain "as much trust as possible". And then the Chancellor added optimistically: "Of course I want to come first!"

No free play of forces
A free play of forces in the National Council until the election is certainly not an issue for Nehammer. He knows from experience that various party alliances then make promises worth billions, which would later have a negative impact on the budget.

In the coming weeks, the ÖVP leader wants to implement important projects together with the Greens. Pension increases, for example, are to be worked out jointly this summer.

Chancellor rules out future government with Gewessler
However, the Chancellor once again sharply criticized Climate Protection Minister Gewessler (Greens). Due to recent differences, Nehammer has ruled out working with her again after the National Council elections. "By her behavior, Gewessler has taken herself out of the game, because you can only work together in a government based on trust if everyone sticks to the common bond that surrounds us, the constitution," emphasized Nehammer.

Gewessler and Nehammer

(Bild: APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)

"Gewessler does not speak for Austria"
With regard to Gewessler's unilateral action at EU level on the renaturation law, the Federal Chancellor said that her "misconduct" would still cause major problems for Austria. For this reason, the ÖVP had also filed a complaint against the Green Minister and an action for annulment with the ECJ. "It was right to point out that Gewessler does not speak for Austria here."

Nehammer defended Gewessler's comparison with FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, which ÖVP Secretary General Christian Stocker had drawn: Kickl had once made the controversial statement that the law should follow politics, "the Energy Minister obviously has the same attitude".

Nevertheless, Nehammer defended his decision not to dismiss Gewessler from the government. "I promised the people of our country that this government would serve to the end and that there would be stability instead of chaos. I have made sure of that."