Austrias former justice minister nominated for European Court of Justice
Austrias former justice minister Maria Berger (Socialdemocrats) was nominated to be a judge in the European Court of Justice. The reactions of Austrias politicans about that decision were various.
Socialdemocrats party whip Josef Cap showed himself “delighted”, and claimed that she is the best choice for such a responsible task. Cap said that Maria Berger is an undisputed expert and an acknowledged personality in the European Union.
Even the coalition partner of the Socialdemocrats seems to be quite pleased with the nomination. The leader of the parliamentary group of the Peoples Party, Karl Heinz Kopf, said that Maria Berger is a qualified candidate for the European Court of Justice. Kopf also thinks that Austrias former justice minister has a high integrity.
The Green party accepted the nomination of Maria Berger with heavy reservations. Green politican Lunacek locates a problematic barter trade between Socialdemocrats and Peoples Party in that decision.
Ewald Stadler of the Orange party known as “BZÖ”, was talking about an unashamed trading political offices. The critical politican also thinks that she is not qualified enough. Almost the same opinion has Andras Mölzer of the Freedom Party. He calls the dicision dramatically a “backfall in dark times”. Mölzer also criticized the luxuriant salary of 20.000 Euro every month.