25. 02. 10. - 12:00

Greens blast Schüssel's decision to join RWE

The Greens blasted former People’s Party (ÖVP) Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel yesterday (Weds) for his decision to join the supervisory board of one of Europe’s biggest energy providers - German firm RWE.

Green environmental spokeswoman Christiane Brunner said: "This decision once again shows why we have been waiting in vain in Austria for a change in energy policy in the direction of climate protection, security of supply and green jobs.

"The links between the ÖVP and fossil fuel and nuclear energy businesses are simply too close."

Radko Pavlovec, an anti nuclear-power activist in Upper Austria, said Schüssel’s board membership ran the risk of damaging the credibility of Austria’s anti-nuclear power policy.

He accused Schüssel of having been responsible for Austria’s failed attempts to get the Czech nuclear power authority to deal with repeated security problems at the Temelin nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic not far from the border with Upper Austria.

"It is unimaginable that a senior Austrian politician would accept a position on the supervisory board of a leading nuclear energy firm the activities of which go against the security interests of the Austrian people," he added.

Pavlovec called on Schüssel "urgently to reconsider" his decision and turn down his lucrative new job.

Schüssel is currently an MP for the conservative ÖVP after heading a coalition government with the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and later on with its right-wing rival the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) between 2000 and 2007.

A spokesman for the German company said the former foreign minister would be nominated for election at RWE’s next general shareholders’ meeting on 22 April.

RWE, based in Essen, Germany, reportedly hopes to benefit from Schüssel’s good connections among European political leaders.

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