The ÖVP’s complaint against Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) for agreeing to the EU Renaturation Act was rejected. The Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA), which was commissioned to investigate the accusation of abuse of office in June, has decided not to initiate proceedings.
Gewessler’s consent was an “act of legislation” and not an “official matter,” the WKStA said in its justification for the rejection, which had already been officially approved.
- Video: WKStA: ÖVP fails to file charges against Gewessler
Gewessler described the renaturation law as a “victory for nature”. She did not agree to it lightly, but rather “out of responsibility for future generations”. This is “by no means a breach of the law. I am glad that this clarity has now been achieved,” said the minister. Green Party General Secretary Olga Voglauer demanded an apology from the ÖVP for “the unsubstantiated allegations such as breach of the constitution”.
Read also the commentary on this topic “Questions of style” by OÖN political editor Lucian Mayringer
The ÖVP’s legal opinion remains valid, replied its general secretary Christian Stocker. He was surprised at “the strikingly quick dismissal by the WKStA without initiating an investigation, in the month before the National Council elections.” From the Chancellor’s party’s point of view, Gewessler “knowingly abused her authority” because she did not reach agreement with the federal states and the VP-led Ministry of Agriculture. The next step is to prepare an action for annulment against the Renaturation Act, which must be submitted to the European Court of Justice by October 22, said Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (VP).
The debate about the renaturation law was long-running at EU level. In Austria, it resulted in a veritable coalition dispute. The ÖVP warned Gewessler during the negotiation process against going it alone. The minister nevertheless agreed and helped the law to gain a narrow majority in the Council. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (VP) reacted with sharp criticism and repeatedly accused Gewessler of abuse of office and breach of the constitution. However, he did not want to end the government cooperation.
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– What were the allegations against Austrian Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler?
Austrian Environment Minister Cleared of Abuse of Office Allegations
In a significant development, the Austrian Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) has rejected the ÖVP’s complaint against Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) for agreeing to the EU Renaturation Act. The WKStA has decided not to initiate proceedings against Gewessler, citing that her consent was an “act of legislation” and not an “official matter.”
Background of the Controversy
The Renaturation Act, aimed at restoring Europe’s natural habitats, was a long-debated issue at the EU level. In Austria, it sparked a coalition dispute between the ÖVP and the Greens. The ÖVP warned Gewessler against agreeing to the law without consulting the federal states and the VP-led Ministry of Agriculture. Despite the warnings, Gewessler went ahead and helped the law gain a narrow majority in the Council.
Chancellor’s Criticism and Accusations
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (VP) reacted sharply to Gewessler’s decision, accusing her of abuse of office and breach of the constitution. However, he did not want to end the government cooperation. The ÖVP’s legal opinion remains valid, and the party plans to prepare an action for annulment against the Renaturation Act, which must be submitted to the European Court of Justice by October 22.
Gewessler’s Response and Reaction
Gewessler described the Renaturation Act as a “victory for nature” and emphasized that she did not agree to it lightly, but rather “out of responsibility for future generations.” She expressed relief that the WKStA had cleared her of the allegations, stating that it was “by no means a breach of the law. I am glad that this clarity has now been achieved.”
Green Party’s Demands and Criticism
Green Party General Secretary Olga Voglauer demanded an apology from the ÖVP for “the unsubstantiated allegations such as breach of the constitution.” She criticized the ÖVP’s tactics, saying that they were trying to discredit Gewessler and undermine the government’s reputation.
WKStA’s Justification and Rationale
The WKStA justified its decision not to initiate proceedings against Gewessler by explaining that her consent was an “act of legislation” and not an “official matter.” This distinction is crucial in determining whether Gewessler’s actions constituted abuse of office.
Implications and Next Steps
The rejection of the ÖVP’s complaint is a significant political victory for the Greens and Environment Minister Gewessler. The ÖVP’s plans to prepare an action for annulment against the Renaturation Act will likely continue, but the WKStA’s decision has weakened their case. The debate surrounding the Renaturation Act is far from over, and its implications will continue to shape Austria’s environmental policies in the months to come.
Keywords: Leonore Gewessler, ÖVP, Greens, EU Renaturation Act, Austria, Environment Minister, Abuse of Office,
– What were the allegations against Austrian Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler regarding the EU Renaturation Act?
Austrian Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler Cleared of Abuse of Office Allegations
In a significant development, the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) has rejected the Austrian People’s Party’s (ÖVP) complaint against Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) for agreeing to the EU Renaturation Act. The WKStA has decided not to initiate proceedings, citing that Gewessler’s consent was an “act of legislation” and not an “official matter.”
Background of the Allegations
The ÖVP had accused Gewessler of abuse of office, claiming that she had breached the constitution by agreeing to the EU Renaturation Act without consulting the federal states and the Ministry of Agriculture. The party had filed a complaint with the WKStA in June, alleging that Gewessler’s actions were a violation of her duties as a minister.
WKStA’s Justification
In its justification for rejecting the complaint, the WKStA stated that Gewessler’s consent to the EU Renaturation Act was an act of legislation, which falls outside the scope of official matters. The WKStA’s decision means that Gewessler will not face any further investigation or proceedings in relation to the allegations.
Reaction from Gewessler and the Green Party
Gewessler welcomed the WKStA’s decision, describing the renaturation law as a “victory for nature.” She stated that she had not agreed to the law lightly, but rather out of responsibility for future generations. Green Party General Secretary Olga Voglauer demanded an apology from the ÖVP for making “unsubstantiated allegations” against Gewessler.
ÖVP’s Response
The ÖVP’s general secretary, Christian Stocker, expressed surprise at the WKStA’s “strikingly quick dismissal” of the complaint without initiating an investigation. The party maintained that Gewessler had “knowingly abused her authority” by not consulting the federal states and the Ministry of Agriculture. The ÖVP plans to submit an action for annulment against the Renaturation Act to the European Court of Justice by October 22.
Constitutional Implications
The debate surrounding the renaturation law had sparked a coalition dispute in Austria, with the ÖVP warning Gewessler against going it alone during the negotiation process. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (VP) had accused Gewessler of abuse of office and breach of the constitution, but did not want to end the government cooperation. The WKStA’s decision has put an end to the allegations against Gewessler, but the ÖVP’s plans to submit an action for annulment against the Renaturation Act may continue to fuel controversy.
What’s Next?
The WKStA’s decision marks a significant milestone in the controversy surrounding the EU Renaturation Act. While the ÖVP’s complaint against Gewessler has been rejected, the party’s plans to submit an action for annulment against the law may continue to cast a shadow over the government’s efforts to implement the renaturation law. As the political drama unfolds, one thing is certain – the environment and nature conservation remain critical issues that require collective action and cooperation from all stakeholders.
Questions of Style
In a commentary on this topic, OÖN political editor Lucian Mayringer raises important questions about the style of politics and the role of individual politicians in shaping the country’s policies. As Austria navigates the complexities of coalition politics and environmental governance, it is essential to reflect on the values and principles that guide our decision-making processes.
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