« Austria is a case study for us » – Diepresse.com
At the EPP Congress in Valencia, Austrian domestic policy is also a big issue. Chancellor Stocker receives thanks to the government cancellation to the FPÖ.
According to party leader Manfred Weber, the main political opponent for the Christian Democratic European People’s Party (EPP) in the next four years are no longer the center-left parties, but « the extremes in Europe and worldwide ». Weber was re-elected at the EPP Congress in Valencia in Spanish on Tuesday with 89 percent of the votes for three years. « An authoritarian wave arrives in Europe. That is the biggest challenge, » he said.
For the Germans from the ranks of the Bavarian CSU, 502 of the EVP delegates voted 61 against him. Seven votes cast were invalid. Weber is also head of the EPP parliamentary group in the European Parliament.
« Austria is a case study for us »
Asked about his conclusions about the failed negotiations between ÖVP and FPÖ, Weber said: « Austria is a case study for us. » In Austria, the ÖVP decided not to enter into a coalition with the FPÖ because the criteria could not have been fulfilled. Weber thanked Chancellor ÖVP boss Christian Stocker. « Under his leadership, Austria is clearly embedded in a pro-European context. »
The EPP has defined its “red lines” for working with other parties for a long time, Weber emphasized. This would have to be committed to Europe, Ukraine and the rule of law.
Stocker: FPÖ could not meet conditions
Stocker defended the coalition negotiations with the FPÖ. « I was criticized hard for this step. But we knew that we had to act – to prevent chaos, » he said in his speech before the EPP party conference.
« But I made it very clear from the start that we will never deviate from our principles and values. The protection of the rule of law, human rights, freedom of the press, the rights of minorities and our fixed place in the heart of the European Union were not negotiable, » continued Stocker. « The FPÖ was unable to meet these conditions. »
Brunner runs as Vice President
The EU migration commissioner Magnus Brunner (ÖVP), who comes from Austria, runs for one of the ten vice presidential posts. Brunner’s predecessor in the Brussels authority, Johannes Hahn (ÖVP), was also an EPP Vice President for years. At 188 out of a total of 720 MPs, the EPP is the strongest force in the European Parliament, before the social democratic S&D parliamentary group with 136 and the right-wing parliamentary group patriots for Europe with 86.
Sharp criticism by FPÖ chairman Kickl
Criticism of Brunner’s candidacy and the EPP in general came from FPÖ boss Herbert Kickl: « The worse the performance of a ÖVP politician, the higher he stumbles up the career ladder. Brunner left Austria with 108 billion euros in new debts and was then ‘disposed of’. Now the next career step is really to be followed. For nothing too stupid, ”Kickl said by broadcast. Since the EVP reign, the EU has become increasingly in the direction of an authoritarian-acting structure « that wants to strike all countries and does not tolerate contradiction, » the FPÖ chairman continued.
Stocker: Stop illegal migration once and for all
In his speech for Brunner, Stocker was strong as an EPP Vice President. He described migration as the first challenge for Europe. « The illegal migration has to be stopped once and for all, » said the ÖVP boss. « Although we have made considerable progress in the past few months, far too many irregular migrants are still in the EU. » Brunner is « the essential driving force behind these new, more appropriate approaches in EU migration policy ». With it, the EPP could ensure that « we make progress when controlling migration ».
Stocker described competitiveness as a second challenge. « Instead of making the best rules, the EU has to do the best products again – especially when our transatlantic relationships are put to the test. Europe has to invest again in its own strength and work on its strategic autonomy, » said the public transport boss.
Stocker was also convinced that with CDU boss Friedrich Merz « will soon be the right man at the head of Germany », « because a strong Germany is good for Europe ». Merz praised more German leadership for Europe in his speech. With a government he led, the EU will have the greatest supporter that it has ever experienced. (APA)
