Sanctions against Austria Unlikely in Today’s European Union

Commentary by Almut Möller
02.02.2010 | Der Standard

The European Union imposed sanctions against Austria ten years ago, when a government was formed in Vienna that included the xenophobic FPÖ party. The Austrians particularly resented the neighbouring Germany’s push for sanctions. “But the events back then have to be interpreted in a wider EU context”, said Almut Möller, an EU expert at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), in an interview with the Austrian daily Der Standard. The European Union was worried about its credibility. Only a few days before the sanctions were applied, the European Union had started accession negotiations. Applicant countries have to fulfil the Kopenhagen criteria. They include a democratic system and the rule of law, the respect of human rights as well as the protection of minorities. Back then, Möller said, these values had an important place in the European debates, as it was also shown in the deliberations in the European convention between 2002 and 2003. In the meantime the wind has changed. Values are being interpreted in a more flexible manner, often to the advantage of business relations e.g. with China. And in today’s European Union of 27 members, a united front like against Austria ten years ago is unthinkable, not the least because right wing populism has become a more common phenomenon.

Back