Dispute in the Austrian Government and EU Reactions: Focus on Climate Protection

PeoplePoliticians ♦ Published: December 18, 2023; 17:21 ♦ (Vindobona)

There is a dispute in Austrian politics over the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which is causing tensions with the European Union. The EU Commission has called on Austria to submit the NECP without delay, as Austria, along with Bulgaria and Poland, has not yet submitted an updated draft by the European Climate Law. This could lead to infringement proceedings, which could escalate over several stages up to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Austria has been told by the European Commission to send its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) to Brussels "right away." The climate plan had already been sent to the Commission by Minister Gewessler, but Minister Edtstadler took it back. / Picture: © BMK / Cajetan Perwein

The dispute in Austria revolves around the withdrawal of the NECP draft by European Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP), who claims that the plan does not correspond to the government's position. Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), on the other hand, disagrees and emphasizes that the draft was drawn up with the involvement of all ministries concerned. This…