Transit dispute

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister Salvini considers the Republic “arrogant”

Salvini has repeatedly and harshly criticized Austria in the recent past.(Bild: AFP)

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini (Lega) accused Austria of "arrogance" in the Tyrolean anti-transit measures on Wednesday. Speaking to parliament in Rome, the transport minister accused the EU Commission of "many years of shameful inactivity". Austria's Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), on the other hand, wants to stay the course.

Salvini considered himself prepared for a hearing before the EU Commission on Italy's complaint to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on Monday. According to Italy's transport minister, the decision to take legal action had been made in the face of European inaction and "Austria's intransigent stance". A negotiated solution had not been reached.

In any case, lifting the "transit bans" was an "absolute priority" for his government, Salvini admitted in a question and answer session before the Chamber of Deputies. Unilateral bans are "unacceptable and untenable because they block the main axis connecting northern and southern Europe." The measures on the Brenner axis would also result in "chaos, traffic, pollution, congestion and unfair competition".

The Brenner highway regularly reaches its capacity limits.(Bild: APA/HANS KLAUS TECHT)

Hearing planned for Monday
A hearing before the EU Commission is now planned for April 8. "We have prepared a comprehensive dossier in which all scientific, analytical and environmentally relevant data that proves the arrogance and injustice of the Austrian decision will be collected and analyzed," Salvini said in preparation.

The EU Commission should respond by May 15. Then we will see "whether the European Commission will finally do justice to Italian citizens and hauliers." Italy could appeal to the Court of Justice regardless of the opinion or decision of the EU Commission, Salvini emphasized.

Gewessler criticizes Rome
"Salvini stands for the profits of the haulage lobby," Gewessler criticized her Italian counterpart. Austria will stick to its course. The Tyroleans were suffering "under unbearable conditions", said the Minister of Transport and Climate Protection, referring to traffic jams, noise and poor air quality along the Brenner route. The measures were "legally compliant" and would be "defended accordingly" on Monday.

There is agreement on this with the black-red Tyrolean state government. "In the end, however, one thing also applies - anyone who takes the Tyroleans seriously should look for a solution at the negotiating table," Gewessler warned.

The ball is in the Commission's court
In mid-February, Italy submitted a complaint to the ECJ that had already been decided upon to the EU Commission, requesting it to initiate EU infringement proceedings. Salvini had previously spent months mobilizing against the Tyrolean measures on the Brenner route, such as the truck metering system and the weekend and night driving ban.

The EU Commission now has three months to decide on infringement proceedings against Austria or to issue a statement. In the event of infringement proceedings, Austria will be given the opportunity to comment. The states involved can submit written and oral comments in an adversarial procedure. If the EU Commission does not issue a statement within three months or refrains from taking legal action, Italy itself can take legal action directly before the ECJ.