Today, FP leader Herbert Kickl described his party’s motion of no confidence against Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler as a decision of conscience for each and every one of the 71 ÖVP MPs.
As reported, Gewessler had argued that “that is not acceptable to my conscience” before she agreed to the renaturation law at EU level, thereby incurring the anger of her coalition partner, the ÖVP. This was followed by a complaint and accusations of breach of the constitution and breach of trust.
The motion of no confidence was a topic at today’s meeting of the VP parliamentary group, confirmed club leader August Wöginger to the OÖN. However, the ÖVP MPs would “unanimously” not follow the FP’s motion. The complaint has resulted in consequences. The ÖVP group stands for loyalty to the pact, said Wöginger. The opposition’s game of driving the government parties apart is transparent, said Wöginger.
Regarding Kickl’s accusation that the ÖVP had secured a personnel package such as the appointment of the EU Commissioner and the National Bank job for Minister Martin Kocher, Wöginger said: “The rogue thinks as he is. We are not participating in Mr Kickl’s conspiracy theories.”
The SPÖ, however, had made it clear that it would not support Gewessler’s motion of no confidence.
The Neos had not yet formed a final opinion today, as deputy club chairman Nikolaus Scherak explained: “We have not yet seen the application.” In addition, Scherak does not dare “to make a final judgement as to who is right.” There are also opposing views among constitutional experts. “But it is understandable that we do not necessarily have great confidence in Gewessler.”
