Austria's coalition government faces crisis over EU nature restoration law

GENEVA

The Austrian coalition government is in crisis after its Greens Party environment minister voted in favor of a new EU nature restoration law despite its rejection by Chancellor Karl Nehammer.

Leonore Gewessler on Monday voted for the law, which passed in the European Council.

Daniel Kosak, head of the chancellor's Cabinet, announced on Tuesday on X that this week’s customary meeting has been canceled.

Kosak officially justified the move by stating that after the many decisions taken in recent weeks, this time the Cabinet would mainly take up technical reports and resolutions, but the abrupt cancellation pointed to a government unable to function.

Federal Chancellor Nehammer lashed out at Gewessler on Monday after she voted in favor of the law after he said doing so would be illegal.

In a hastily convened press conference in Vienna, Nehammer spoke of "blatant misconduct" on the part of the Greens and a "serious breach of trust."

The chancellor and Austrian People's Party (OVP) leader said if he gave his feelings free reign, "that would now be the end of cooperation in this government."

Nehammer added that he would nevertheless "assume his responsibility as federal chancellor" and ensure an "orderly path" until the Sept. 29 elections for the National Council, the lower half of parliament.

According to the chancellor, the coalition will only implement "necessary and important projects" until then.

"As far as it is still possible with this coalition partner," he added.

The government crisis was preceded by Nehammer's request to Gewessler to abstain from the vote in Brussels on Monday.

However, after Gewessler declared on Sunday that she would vote in favor of the EU law, the Federal Chancellery said Nehammer had informed the Belgian EU Council Presidency that Gewessler's approval would be illegal.

"The Austrian federal states have issued a negative opinion and the necessary agreement between the federal ministries concerned has not been reached," the chancellery statement said.

"The conditions for approval of the present draft are not met," it continued.

Nehammer even threatened to have the new law declared null and void by the European Court of Justice.

Under the restoration law, EU member states must restore at least 30% of natural habitats in poor condition by 2030, 60% by 2040 and 90% by 2050, according to the European Parliament's website.

"Over 80% of habitats in the EU are in poor condition," it said.