Because the Federal Chancellery introduced in a press release on Monday, “Austria’s abstention, which has already been registered in accordance with the standard procedures, should stay in place.” If the decision is accepted, an motion for annulment will likely be introduced earlier than the ECJ.
Nonetheless, Gewessler herself doesn’t need to be dissuaded from giving her approval at right now’s EU Surroundings Council in Luxembourg. “The authorization talked regarding on this letter doesn’t exist in both Austrian or European legislation. I’ll subsequently proceed as deliberate.” She is relaxed a few “doable” lawsuit, she advised media representatives earlier than the Council assembly in Luxembourg.
“The ministers current vote, that is the way it works”
The Belgian EU Council Presidency additionally noticed the matter considerably otherwise than Nehammer. “On our aspect, the minister current within the room votes, that is the way it works,” stated the accountable Belgian minister Alain Maron (Belgian Greens) on Monday earlier than the assembly in Luxembourg. “For the remainder of us, that is an inside Austrian controversy that’s none of my enterprise.” This had been checked and it was authorized to carry a vote on the renaturation legislation on Monday.
The Federal Chancellery identified that “there’s a legitimate damaging assertion from the federal states and the required settlement between the federal ministries involved is missing”. Subsequently, as in different states, “the circumstances for approval of the present draft will not be met”. In line with the Federal Chancellery, such an motion for annulment must be introduced by the accountable authorities member, on this case in all probability Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP). A choice by the Council of Ministers and thus the approval of the Greens wouldn’t be crucial.
The EU Renaturation Act is the main focus of right now’s assembly of EU atmosphere ministers in Luxembourg. Gewessler introduced on Sunday that he would comply with the EU Renaturation Act, thereby forcing a coalition rift. ÖVP and the Greens don’t agree on the extent to which Gewessler must attain settlement with the federal states and the Ministry of Agriculture. Gewessler “is intentionally breaking the structure and the legislation,” stated Edtstadler on Sunday. Whatever the matter, the purpose is “that the legislation should stay the legislation. Ideology must not ever be above the legislation,” stated Edtstadler. “Placing oneself above the structure and above the legislation is a brand new dimension. That should and can have authorized penalties.”
“Disarmament of phrases”
On Monday, earlier than the EU atmosphere ministers’ assembly, Gewessler referred to as on her coalition companions to “disarm their phrases”. She didn’t count on the ÖVP to finish its cooperation with the Greens, she stated on the Ö1 morning journal. “I additionally don’t count on the minister to be indicted. My consent is in accordance with the legislation.” The ÖVP lately needed to attend and see whether or not a vote would even happen.
Just lately, there was no signal of a professional majority for the EU regulation. There’s to be a public debate among the many ministers on Monday. It’s unclear whether or not there will likely be a vote following that. Whether or not there’ll truly be a vote will rely primarily on whether or not the Belgian Council Presidency will get the impression in the course of the debate {that a} certified majority (55 p.c of EU states, representing 65 p.c of the inhabitants) will likely be achieved or not. For this to occur, one of many nations which have to date abstained or needed to vote in opposition to must change their minds. The state of affairs is “sadly actually complicated in the mean time,” stated Gewessler on Monday morning.
“The bulk on the European degree is not at all sure. That’s worrying as a result of this legislation has been negotiated for months,” Gewessler stated in a press convention on Sunday. The legislation is “presently at a crucial juncture” following Hungary lately modified its place. However it’s excessive time to get the renaturation legislation underway. “Delays, ambiguity and delaying ways are handy, however they don’t give our nature an inch extra to breathe. I’ll vote in favor of an important nature conservation legislation on Monday. If there’s a vote, the EU can depend on an Austrian sure,” Gewessler introduced.
