Gewessler in ORF "Summer Talk": Criticism of the Government's Climate Policy

In the future, she wants to broaden her range of topics. She does not take responsibility for the budget situation. The Greens do not want to vote for the Electricity Industry Act (ElWG) - at least not "as it is currently on the table." This would make the climate protectors "the fools" again. A two-thirds majority is necessary for the decision. Gewessler, however, called for a national alliance for domestic, affordable energy - she will propose this to the other party leaders. By 2030, there should be 100 percent renewable electricity in Austria, and climate protectors should be rewarded, not punished. She also wants a network infrastructure fund, which could be funded by profits from state energy suppliers.

Gewessler in ORF "Summer Talk": Broaden Range of Topics

As the Green Party leader, she wants to talk more frequently about other topics such as security, economy, or women in the future, Gewessler stated. She criticized the debate initiated by Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) about part-time work - instead of accusing women of not being willing to perform, 50,000 new childcare places are needed, a legal right to childcare from the first birthday, and a right to increase hours if someone regularly works overtime. The party leader misses a concrete proposal in the debate started by Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) about intervening in food prices.

In terms of migration, "humanity and order" are green core principles - human rights are the basis of coexistence, rules and laws must apply to everyone. For schools, she called for more German language support teachers in light of the many children who do not speak German. There was no criticism regarding the case of the recently deported Syrian, who was convicted of terrorist association. If a court says such a deportation is in order, it should be carried out. The ECHR ultimately did not halt the deportation.

"I Was Not Finance Minister for a Second"

The conversation also focused a lot on coming to terms with the past. The ÖVP sought partners with whom they could better implement their program than with the Greens, Gewessler explained why her party did not play a role in forming the government. She criticized the surveillance of messenger services - the "state trojan" - which the coalition partners SPÖ and NEOS had previously opposed. Whether this will be challenged before the Constitutional Court (VfGH) still needs to be examined.

Gewessler does not want to be held responsible for the tense budget situation. "I was not finance minister for a second," she said, "I did climate policy." The black-green federal government decided to support purchasing power, but measures like the rent price brake were needed earlier, she admitted.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.