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I'm from Austria and I applaud him for saying the truth.
It's embarrassing how many austrian politicians are defending the russian gas imports.
It's embarrassing how many austrian politicians are defending the russian gas imports.
Sadly true.
Why One Country Is Struggling to Break Away From Russian Gas (July 2023)
Germany, which got 55 percent of its supply from Russia before the war, now imports zero. Poland, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic have halted or are close to halting flows. And Italy has been steadily trimming imports, and pledges to be free of Russian natural gas by the end of this year.
By contrast, Austria, which received nearly 80 percent of its gas from Russia before the invasion, still got more than half its total from Russia in May. And in March, when demand was higher, the figure reached 74 percent. As long as Russia is selling gas, Austria will buy it, the chief executive of the Austrian energy company OMV Group said this month.
The government’s difficulties in weaning itself off Russian gas, which it has pledged to do, have drawn complaints from critics who say Austria’s gas payments are helping to finance Moscow’s war machine.
to be fair - Austria has the FPÖ and most of the country doesn't have any problem with those far-right nuts. So the bar of being embarassed by stuff like that is pretty high already to begin with if you're in Austria.
He absolutely is right.
But it absolutely dumb to say this at an Event where you are invited to in your representative role, when the EU Commission you are representing doesnt agree with that statement.
Nah it’s dumb to remain silent in fear.
It’s smart to use your platform to push for progress
There is diplomatic protocol. If he has the "go" from the commission to criticize Austria, he absolutely should do so. But if he doesnt have that backing, he is actively creating a diplomatic crisis.
Oh no, a diplomatic crisis. How horrible. That sounds as bad as the children being killed in Ukraine by Russia.
Summoned for speaking the truth? Interesting democracy you have there, Austria
Diplomats aren't free to speak whatever they want. Even if he is speaking the truth, you can't do that in his position. Very unprofessional.
Is this sarcasm?
No it's not. Diplomats represent another party (country) not their own wants.
Nah, if it were me, even if I "knew better." I would still break the rules and the social contract and speak out. Better to say what is being left unsaid than to have it weigh on the conscience. Even if doing so put me in deep shit, I would be proud I stuck to my principles.
Sadly this is why people like you and I aren’t working in government. Too many cowards in there.
You are aware that they have other channels for that? Contacts in the media who can print a story citing you "anonymously" etc.
Speaking out yourself as a diplomat creates a diplomatic crisis and increases the rift between the body you're representing and the hosting country.
hearsay your honor!
Austria certainly has a history with royalty
So, not only are they buying Russian gas, they also don't supply weapons to Ukraine. Just great.
A former government signed an agreement to pay for Russian gas until 2050. This is of course completely bonkers, but unfortunately there’s no legal way to hold them accountable for this.
Pay 1€ a year then
It’s more specific than that.
this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2023
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