The European Regulation on the restoration of nature causes a government crisis in Austria. The conservative chancellor and the co-governing Greens are at odds.

Last Monday in Luxembourg, the EU’s environment ministers finally approved the first comprehensive Regulation on the “restoration of nature”, which is considered a key tool for meeting Europe’s ambitious climate goals. The new law stipulates that by 2030 at least 20% of the EU’s terrestrial or marine habitats must have been restored to their original form, for example by planting new trees or restoring riverbeds.

For Greenpeace it is a “huge success for nature and people in Europe”. In Germany, the ecological organization BUND considers this a “milestone in the fight for the protection of the environment”. Austrian Environment Minister Leonore Gevesler from the Green Party also supported Luxembourg’s decision with her vote.

“Breach of the law” sees the chancellor

However, the Austrian government appears divided on this issue. While Leonore Gevesler sees a “victory for the protection of the environment”, conservative chancellor Karl Nehammer speaks of a “violation of the law” by the co-ruling Green Party.

Already on the eve of the vote, the chancellor had contacted the officials of the Belgian EU presidency, saying that his minister was not authorized to participate in the approval of this decision. For her part, Gevesler says the decision may not have been easy, but it was “adequately informed” from a legal point of view.

Circles of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), from which Chancellor Nehammer also comes, express misgivings that the European Regulation in question could cause new burdens for farmers, which will also have an impact on the smooth supply of the market. Criticism is also expressed by representatives of agricultural associations in neighboring Germany.

Nehammer: I will not allow “chaos”

Already on Monday evening, Nehammer reprimanded his minister, but made it clear that he will not proceed with the dissolution of the government coalition between the People’s Party and the Greens, so as not to “plunge the country into chaos”. He warned, however, that the “free play of political forces” could cost Austrian taxpayers billions.

As political scientist Laure Hayek, a professor at the University of Innsbruck, explains to DW, the term denotes a situation in which party discipline is withdrawn and alternating parliamentary majorities pass laws as they see fit. Such a situation had prevailed in September 2008, shortly before the parliamentary elections, as a result of which a series of beneficial measures were approved, such as the abolition of university fees, the reduction of VAT on specific products, increases in pensions and various social benefits.

The Austrians speak of “pre-election gimmicks” and according to Chancellor Nehammer, to date all these pro-people measures have cost taxpayers 30 billion euros.

Elections in September

On the record, Chancellor Nehammer is now declaring that he will appeal to the European Court of Justice, asking for the annulment of the disputed Regulation for the protection of the environment. In addition, according to Austrian media, he will take legal action against Minister Gevesler, whom he accuses of abuse of power and excess of authority.

All this, while Austria is preparing for parliamentary elections on September 29. This date does not change, points out science policy Laure Hayek. Favorite, according to opinion polls, is the far-right Free Party (FPÖ) which is close to 28% of voters’ preferences. Second are the Social Democrats (SPÖ), just third is Chancellor Nehammer’s People’s Party, while the Greens are limited to fourth place with 8%.

The FPÖ can certainly reap pre-election benefits by accentuating the ongoing infighting within the governing coalition, notes Laura Hayek. However, he believes that the latest developments give other political parties the opportunity to come to the fore, so that the FPÖ does not monopolize criticism with issues such as immigration and the provision of asylum.

In terms of pre-election logic, however, notes the politics of science, the confrontation between the ÖVP and the Greens is not such a negative development, as it is plausible that towards the end of the parliamentary term each of the political parties sharpens its profile and emphasizes its differences from the other political forces.

Edited by: Yiannis Papadimitriou