Heat in the political discourse: Austria splits Austria!

Heat in the political discourse: Austria splits Austria!

The latest stand on the EU Mercosur free trade agreement is concerned with the political landscape in Austria. Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer (ÖVP) has opened openly for the agreement, while resistance from the ÖVP farmers' association is growing. The President of the Farmers' Association, Georg Strasser, wasted Hattmannsdorfer's push back and argued that cheap imports from South America could be a serious threat to domestic agriculture. vienna.at reports that the NEOS as the only political force supports the agreement, while the SPÖ is rather critical and the FPÖ is clearly indicated.

Critics of the Agreement warn of the potential negative effects on domestic agriculture. Among other things, the Austrian farmers' association demands that the same standards for imports are observed to protect domestic producers. Paul Nemecek, director of the Lower Austrian Farmers' Association, demands that the minister be held responsible for his statements. meinbezirk.at describes that from an economic perspective there is a positive perspective, since the agreement offers the opportunity to open up new trading partners.

economic perspectives and concerns

The Industrial Association (IV) supports the agreement and sees it a chance to diversify the trading partners. Christoph Neumayer, General Secretary of the IV, emphasizes that after almost 25 years of negotiations, an agreement is reaching within reach. Economic cooperation with Mercosur countries is currently securing over 32,000 jobs in Austria. In addition, the dismantling of tariffs could mean annual savings in billions. The press emphasizes that the break between industry and agriculture ensures different reactions. While Agrarier fear loss and quality losses, industry hopes for more foreign trade.

The FPÖ sharply criticizes the free trade agreement and describes it as a betrayal of the interests of domestic farmers. Party leader Herbert Kickl also warns of a "massive attack" on Austrian agriculture through cheap products from South America. At the same time, the SPÖ emphasizes that the approval of the agreement could be associated with the reduction of employee rights and problems in climate protection. In this context, Greens boss Kogler sees the need to question the transport of agricultural products in order to avoid rainforest destruction.

political positions and further developments

The ÖVP-farmer's association remains strong in its opposition, and Minister of Agriculture in Totchnig refers to an old National Council decision from 2019, which is opposed to the agreement. These concerns are in strong contrast to support that the free trade agreement receives from industry, where it is seen as important for access to international markets. The EU Commission would like to advance the negotiations, even if countries like France express reservations, especially with regard to domestic agriculture.

On the other hand, employee representatives are concerned about possible job losses and environmental pollution, which further fueled the debate about the Mercosur Agreement. So far, the political agreement remains uncertain, while the different interests within society are becoming increasingly clear.