FPÖ applications to reverse the renaturation law and against Ursula von der Leyen as EU Commission President rejected
Vienna (PK) – Today’s event dealt with a wide range of topics EU Main Committee ahead of a meeting of the European Council. Chancellor Karl Nehammer and EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler answered the MPs’ questions. In addition to the still dominant topic of the Ukraine war, the EU renaturation law and its creation were at the center of the debate.
The ÖVP spoke of a “clear breach of the law” by Climate Protection Minister Gewesslers, which was seen as “bizarre” by the SPÖ, the Greens and NEOS, among others. In an application for a statement, the FPÖ called on Chancellor Nehammer to advocate for the reversal of the renaturation law at the European level in the interests of “ensuring domestic food sovereignty”. This only remained in the minority with the votes of the FPÖ, as did another motion from the Freedom Party, according to which the Chancellor should speak out against Ursula von der Leyen as the future President of the EU Commission in the European Council. Nehammer emphasized his support for von der Leyen. With regard to the war in the Gaza Strip, he saw “no light on the horizon” and once again warned of a conflagration in the region.
Committee debate on peace prospects for Ukraine
Russia continues to only try to find solutions to the Ukraine conflict on the basis of its own conditions, said Chancellor Nehammer in his opening remarks and condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the measures recently imposed by the Russian leadership against 81 foreign media outlets. The Russian government “fears” free reporting. At the same time, we must also continue to talk to Russia in order to keep the door open for a “just and sustainable peace”. The peace summit held in Switzerland on June 15th and 16th was an important step in this direction, Nehammer stated to Wolfgang Gerstl (ÖVP).
In this context, cooperation with the BRICS countries, which were also represented at the summit, must also be strengthened, as he replied to Kai Jan Krainer (SPÖ). India in particular plays a central role because, as a major arms buyer, it has a “strong and open channel” to Russia, said Nehammer. Austria’s foreign minister has already met his Indian counterpart five times. But it is also important to include African countries, which suffered greatly from the consequences of the war, and Arab states. The United Arab Emirates, for example, organized the prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, Nehammer reported.
Ewa Ernst Dziedsic (Greens) welcomed Austria’s “clear positioning” in the war and emphasized that it was necessary to keep communication channels with Russia open, also in the interest of the “deported” Ukrainian children.
FPÖ MP Petra Steger wanted to know where these open channels were. Since Russia was not even invited to the aforementioned peace summit in Switzerland, there could be no progress towards peace. The now 14 sanctions packages against Russia, the EU accession talks that have now begun with Ukraine and NATO’s decision that the weapons they supply can also be used for attacks on Russian territory also had “not exactly a peacemaking effect.” Rather, it is a “constant spiral of escalation,” which also violates Austrian neutrality, said Steger. Her group colleague Harald Stefan showed no understanding for the “horror” at the Russian censorship measures, since the EU started them by banning Russian media. In a war, propaganda comes from both sides.
Andreas Minnich (ÖVP), Nikolaus Scherak (NEOS) and Georg Bürstmayr (Greens) showed no understanding for this attitude, which led to a heated debate. Bürstmayr saw Austria’s attitude and actions as compatible with neutrality and described the content of the banned Russian state television as “simply genocidal.” Chancellor Nehammer did not see the ban as a restriction on pluralism of opinions, but rather as a prevention of disinformation in order to prevent destabilization campaigns. According to him, Ukraine’s “full support” is still needed, as any easing up could be interpreted by the Russian leadership as a sign of weakness, which in turn would result in increased attacks.
Regarding the accession talks with Ukraine, the process, like that with Moldova, can only be “merit-based,” emphasized EU Minister Edtstadler. The dynamic of the enlargement process must be maintained.
Renaturation law: ÖVP speaks of a “clear violation of the law”
The renaturation law, which was passed at EU level against the will of the ÖVP and the federal states, was also discussed by the MPs. According to Wolfgang Gerstl (ÖVP), Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler deliberately violated the constitution in two respects with her approval: on the one hand, by not taking into account the responsibility of Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig and, on the other hand, by not taking into account the uniform position of the federal states. Gregor Strasser (ÖVP) also spoke of a “clear violation of the law”. The consequences of this would become apparent if, for example, the cost of living rose again or the construction of plants to generate renewable energy became significantly more difficult. Putting ideology before law is not compatible with the constitution, added Andreas Minnich (ÖVP)
In this context, Katharina Kucharowits (SPÖ) spoke of a “transparent strategy” of the ÖVP, Michel Reimon (Greens) ironically spoke of “advertising” for Gewessler and Nikolaus Scherak (NEOS) found it “bizarre” that the People’s Party lacked agreement with Totschnig led into the meeting. The ÖVP often acted in the same way as Gewessler on agricultural policy issues.
EU Minister Edtstadler contradicted this argument because Totschnig had given the opportunity to comment and the case was therefore different. Gewessler would have been bound to the position of the federal states. In addition, Chancellor Nehammer has stated to the EU that Gewessler has no authority to approve the renaturation law. Therefore, an action for annulment at the ECJ is justified, said Edtstadler. But that will take some time, as this can only be introduced once the law has been announced.
Petra Steger (FPÖ) saw Gewessler’s approval of the renaturation law as a “betrayal of Austria’s security of supply”. The ÖVP would only stick to the coalition with the Greens because it still has “posts to fill” and the coalition parties are the “gravediggers of local agriculture”.
EU personnel package: clarity by mid-July
Katharina Kucharowits, Kai Jan Krainer (both SPÖ), Petra Steger (FPÖ) and Michel Reimon (Greens) were interested in the upcoming replacement of top positions in the EU, such as the Commission President. Chancellor Nehammer did not want to anticipate the EU Council’s decision. However, a quick agreement is being sought. He was confident that the Commission’s planned start date of November 1, 2024 can be met. Negotiating teams from all political groups in the EU Parliament are currently discussing filling the positions, said Nehammer. There should be clarity by mid-July.
FPÖ mandater Petra Steger was particularly offended by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s planned second term in office. In this position it is “unbearable”, an “unreasonable expectation” and Austria’s approval of it means a “betrayal” of domestic interests. Steger justified this with Von der Leyen’s “complete failures”, for example in security or migration policy. Steger was outraged that she was also being investigated due to inconsistencies in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccination doses. Nehammer, on the other hand, expressed his support for Von der Leyen, who stood for the EU election as the top candidate with an “open mind” and, among other things, emphasized the importance of competitiveness, which was also a major concern for Nehammer. In this respect, it was “not a big challenge” for him to speak out in favor of them.
Middle East: “No light on the horizon”
Since Hamas refused to cooperate, especially in freeing the hostages, Chancellor Nehammer saw “no light on the horizon” regarding the war in the Gaza Strip, which was supported by Kai Jan Krainer, Muna Duzdar (both SPÖ) and Michel Reimon (Greens). interested. The terrorist organization is abusing the misery of the Palestinians and the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is also coming to a head. All it takes is a spark to “make the powder keg explode,” says Nehammer. A “wildfire” in the region could also have serious effects on Austria and the EU, not least because of the resulting refugee movement. Nehammer considered the “unilateral” recognition of a Palestinian state, as pursued by some EU states, to be counterproductive as it only led to a hardening of the fronts. However, in the long term, a two-state solution is the only option for peaceful coexistence.
Duzdar’s criticism that Nehammer was taking a one-sided stand for the Israeli government was countered by saying that Hamas could end the war at any time by capitulating. Since the attack on October 7, 2023, they have clearly stood on Israel’s side and at the same time called for the upholding of international humanitarian law. However, Hamas makes compliance more difficult because it hides behind the civilian population. There is also “no tolerance” in Austria for the violence of extremist Israeli settlers.
Other topics discussed in the committee were the EU proceedings against Hungary, developments in Georgia, migration policy, Montenegro’s EU accession prospects, the European defense industry and dealing with disinformation. (Conclusion of the EU Main Committee) wit
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