Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announces that his conservative party will remain in coalition with the Green party, despite a controversial vote by the Green's environment minister for a contested Nature Restoration plan that Nehammer opposes.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has stated that his conservative Austrian People's Party will continue to participate in the current government coalition with its Green party junior partner, despite the Green's environment minister voting in favor of the so-called Nature Restoration plan, which Nehammer has strongly opposed.
Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler's vote in a European Union ballot on Monday came after months of domestic political debate and significantly angered the senior partner in the coalition government ahead of a national election set for Sept. 29. Prior to Nehammer's statement, speculation had been growing in Austria about whether he would dissolve the coalition government.
Austrian Coalition Survives Despite Green's Vote in Favor of Contested Nature Restoration Plan
However, Nehammer stated to reporters that while there might be "emotion" for ending the coalition, it was his "responsibility, as federal chancellor, to ensure an orderly path" until the parliamentary elections, as reported by Austrian public broadcaster ORF.
Gewessler justified her vote by stating that "my conscience tells me unmistakably (that) when the healthy and happy life of future generations is at stake, courageous decisions are needed."
Austrian Coalition Survives Despite Green's Vote in Favor of Contested Nature Restoration Plan
In response to Gewessler's vote, Nehammer had previously informed the Belgian EU presidency that it would be unlawful, according to the Austria Press Agency. Nehammer's office later announced that Austria plans to file a suit at the European Court of Justice to nullify the vote.
Nehammer's party also announced that it would pursue criminal charges against Gewessler for alleged abuse of office.
The Nature Restoration plan is an integral part of the EU's European Green Deal, which aims to establish the most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets in the world and make the bloc a global reference point on climate issues.
In the lead-up to the EU elections that saw a shift to the right earlier this month, European farmers expressed concerns about the numerous environmental laws governing their operations, arguing that the regulations were harming their livelihoods and burdening them with excessive bureaucracy.
Nehammer is facing pressure in Austria after the far-right Freedom Party narrowly defeated his conservative Austrian People's Party in the European Parliament election last week, which saw hard-right parties achieve significant gains across the 27-nation bloc.
Following his party's defeat in the European election, Nehammer acknowledged that there is "great dissatisfaction," as reported by APA. He also pledged that his party would spend the coming months convincing voters of how seriously it takes their concerns regarding migration and overregulation.
