Separate appearance

Now open war between Chancellor and Gewessler

Politically not on the same page: Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) and Infrastructure Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens)(Bild: Krone KREATIV/APA)

The coalition partners apparently no longer have much to say to each other. Although it actually falls within the remit of Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) presented a concept for infrastructure expansion (road and rail) in Austria on Monday morning. At the same time, Gewessler presented plans for a photovoltaic plant at another location. 

Nehammer emphasized the importance of infrastructure for the economy and Austria's competitiveness. The expansion of road, rail and energy networks is the "key" to the location and therefore the future, he said at a press event at the Donau Tower in Vienna.

Nehammer criticizes Gewessler
He expressed criticism towards the Green coalition partner, who had prevented important "gap closures" in this area "due to a dogmatically controlled policy".

Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) at the Danube Tower(Bild: APA/MAX SLOVENCIK)

Nehammer identified a "large number" of projects that had been held up due to "no longer future-oriented delaying tactics" by the Green-led Ministry of Transport. The ÖVP leader criticized that although many projects were provided for in the law, in many cases the ministry under Gewessler was examining them for too long and without results.

The time when ideology determined infrastructure expansion must be over.

Bundeskanzler Karl Nehammer (ÖVP)

However, these projects - he specifically mentioned the Lobau Tunnel in Vienna, for example - are of central importance for the economic development of the country and for securing jobs.

It is also an "illusion to believe that there will be no more commuters in the future". Private transport will continue to play a role, even if rail and public transport are expanded. There is also technical progress in the transport sector that will enable CO2-neutral transportation in the future. "That is why the argument against the road is an argument against the future, against development, against Austria as a business location and against Austria as a place to work."

"New opportunity for Austrians begins after election"
"The government has achieved demonstrable successes in many areas, but too few in the area of infrastructure in my view," emphasized the Chancellor. According to him, in recent times there had only ever been discussions about what could not be built. Nehammer: "The time when ideology determined infrastructure development must be over."

The cooperation between the ÖVP and the Greens at federal level would end on September 29, "after which a new opportunity will begin for the Austrians - also in terms of infrastructure". 

Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), like the Chancellor, called for a "holistic" approach to transport, rail and the energy sector. The aim must be to have a "business location that is climate-friendly but also innovative". Brunner referred to investments by the federal government, for example in the expansion of renewable energy. For example, the federal government is providing several billion euros for the heating transition, and hydrogen funding has also recently been increased.

Gewessler unimpressed by the Chancellor's criticism
Gewessler was asked about the Nehammer appointment at another press conference - she was expanding PV systems. She emphasized that she was not yet familiar with the content, but added: "Continuing as before is not an option if we want to protect the environment and climate." For decades, concrete had been poured over, often including important agricultural land. All this for "yet another road and even more traffic". But we know: "More roads also means more traffic jams on even more roads."

Leonore Gewessler (Greens) on the roof of the Westbahnhof station on Monday(Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER)

"And I have changed this paradigm, because we are now building the infrastructure that we need for the future," explained Gewessler. That is why there is record investment in rail, for example. "More and more people are traveling by train," she pointed out.