Austrian governing party fails in lawsuit against climate minister

Austria’s conservative governing party has failed in its bid to sue a minister for backing an EU environmental law, the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office spokeswoman told dpa on Friday.

The conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) filed a complaint against Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler in June alleging abuse of office after she approved the contentious EU Restoration Law despite the ÖVP's opposition.

Gewessler is a member of the Green Party which is governing in coalition with the ÖVP.

Her approval for the law resulted in a narrow majority among the EU states in favour of the law, which aims to restore forests, moors and other natural areas.

But conservatives and agricultural representatives in Austria and throughout the bloc fear that the new EU law will harm farmers, saying this could impact food production in the EU.

The ÖVP claimed Gewessler acted illegally and unconstitutionally, saying she overrode a veto by the states and did not coordinate her action with the conservative agriculture minister.

No investigations have been initiated and the Austrian office said it dismissed the complaint as it deals with legislation rather than an official transaction, the spokeswoman said.

The conflict between the coalition partners began during campaigning ahead of parliamentary elections on September 29.

Both parties are under pressure to mobilize their voters as the ÖVP struggles close its gap in the polls behind the far-right Freedom Party.