Austrian parliamentary session canceled - 'nothing to discuss'
Austria's governing coalition parties will enjoy an unexpected day off next week after they canceled a parliamentary session because they have “nothing to discuss.” It is reportedly the first time a meeting has been canceled on such short notice.
News of the canceled session was posted on the Austrian parliament's website. A total of 183 members of parliament had planned to attend the meeting on Thursday.
Representatives from the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the conservative People's Party (ÖVP) told the opposition parties that “there just isn't enough going on for a discussion,” Greens party MP Dieter Brosz told Kurier newspaper.
Brosz called the move “very unusual,” and said it was the first time that a session had been canceled at such short notice.
But the Greens party MP disagreed with the decision, stressing that there is, in fact, plenty to discuss.
According to Brosz, the government still needs to determine how to implement the energy and climate strategy agreed on at the Paris climate summit last year, as well as settle details of the planned education reform bill.
Although the Thursday session will be canceled, a meeting planned for Wednesday will go ahead.
"Even if the governing parties feel they have nothing to offer - they could at least allow the opposition to voice some of their concerns," he said, stressing that sessions often end up being adjourned when the opposition wants to debate an issue.
