14
Dec
2022
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Preparation of the European Council meeting of 15 December 2022 (debate)
Your Excellencies, the members of the Council have the chance to repair tomorrow the misery made to Romania by blocking the accession to Schengen. Otherwise, they'll do Chancellor Karl Nehammer a favor. Austria's chancellor risks losing his country's elections because the wave of antipathy sparked by Romania's blockade can turn into a boomerang in the January elections. Austrian companies present in Romania, which account for 7% of Austria's GDP, or 32 billion euros, are already pressing the government in Vienna to reverse its vote, considering the vote deeply unfair. The entire Austrian press: Die Presse, Österreichische Zeitung, Der Standard, Kurier, ORF, even the official one criticizes in chorus the profoundly anti-European attitude of the Austrian Chancellor. They accuse him of isolating his country, of punishing his own companies, of destroying Austria's reputation. And I tell you what, Herr Nehammer, no one has ever won a war with the press! No one, never! Austria has failed to comply with EU laws and is therefore in breach of the rule of law. Austrian citizens need to know that, because of this, their country can get blocked European funds. And one more thing, Herr Nehammer: David's stone, to which few gave a chance, hit Goliath. Be careful what you start with my country! We don't forget, even if we forgive. Instead, I thank Vice-President Othmar Karas for the absolutely European way he has done it and for his position even if he contradicts his own party president.