Instead of "side letters"

EU Commissioner: SPÖ & NEOS in favor of public hearing

Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Andreas Babler

(Bild: APA, Krone KREATIV)

The SPÖ and NEOS are unusually united. They want a public hearing for the next EU Commissioner. Previously, the Greens had already supported the NEOS in their call for Othmar Karas to be appointed Commissioner. Other prominent names for the post already seem to be out of the running. One thing is certain: Time is of the essence.

"If only we had blown up the government, called new elections and voted in June", some strategists in the ÖVP may be thinking these days. After the Green Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler famously disregarded the federal states and the will of the ÖVP when it came to the renaturation law, the Green coalition partner now no longer feels bound by the government side letter, which clearly states that the ÖVP may appoint the EU Commissioner.

We no longer want to accept side letters and backroom deals, we demand transparency. A public hearing is democracy in action!

Andreas Babler

As if that were not enough, the Greens also supported the idea of recommending Othmar Karas, who is controversial within the ÖVP. NEOS leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger had previously proposed Karas (her former boss) for the post. Now the SPÖ is also increasing the pressure. "It is not a law of nature that the ÖVP appoints the EU Commissioner. We demand a transparent selection. In a public hearing of two to three people, the majority of the main committee should make a choice as to who is the most competent and suitable person in terms of European policy," said SPÖ leader Andreas Babler.

Beate Meinl-Reisinger and Andreas Babler

(Bild: APA, Krone KREATIV)

Citizens should be able to form an opinion
The SPÖ and NEOS are calling for a public hearing of potential candidates in the Austrian Parliament before a vote in the main committee. There, they should present their ideas on how they would like to fill the office and demonstrate their expertise. The MPs who make the final decision on the nomination should be given the opportunity to ask questions. The public nature of the hearing should also allow citizens to form an opinion.

EU Commission not an issue for "side letters"
The SPÖ and NEOS are thus renewing a proposal that they had already submitted to the then government in 2019. While the hearing of nominated Commissioners takes place in public in the European Parliament and candidates are repeatedly rejected, the selection in Austria continues to be a deal between the governing parties. In the current case, the ÖVP and the Greens even wanted to regulate this important decision by means of a "side letter".

A reliable, competent, pro-European course for the Austrian member of the new Commission is in the interests of all parties and the country as a whole.

Beate Meinl-Reisinger

"The times in which the governing parties negotiate appointments behind closed doors and only present them to Parliament for approval must be over," says NEOS party leader Beate Meinl-Reisinger. "The appointment of such an important office must take place transparently and with a broad public debate. The opportunity to jointly select a person of integrity who is respected across party lines and pursues the vision of a strong Union must finally be seized."

The two opposition parties want to see their proposal implemented "as quickly as possible". Following the election of the Commission President, all countries will submit their proposals to Ursula von der Leyen relatively quickly. This will also mark the start of talks on future departmental responsibilities. In any case, it must be prevented that the "current mutual blocking of the ÖVP and the Greens turns Austria into a latecomer and the new member of the Commission into a stopgap for the then still open, less relevant responsibilities".

Who it couldbe
 Finance Minister Magnus Brunner is repeatedly mentioned as a possible EU Commissioner. However, this is not certain, as an independent commissioner is also a possible option for Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer. From the ÖVP's point of view, Othmar Karas is certainly not an option as an independent. Karas has too often settled accounts with the policies of the ÖVP in recent months.

The EU Commissioner is part of a whole personnel package: Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Kocher is said to be fixed for the successor to OeNB Director Robert Holzman. The Greens are also expected to get a top job at the OeNB: It is considered a foregone conclusion that Josef Meichenitsch will be promoted from head of department to director. Meichenitsch is a close confidant of party leader Werner Kogler and played a key role in negotiating the coalition agreement between the Greens and the ÖVP in 2019. The ÖVP would accept Meichenitsch, but the Greens are not going along with the EU Commissioner.