Business as Usual

The European Commission is urgently pressing to end European Union sanctions against Austria, fearing that the policy is so unpopular in Denmark that it could derail the chances of that country’s voting to adopt the euro in a September 28 referendum. Commission President Romano Prodi has asked that an independent report on Austria’s human rights record be rushed out so the controversy can be quelled before the Danish vote, according to the Danish newspaper Berlingske Tidende.

Prodi reportedly contacted the panel of three “wise men” who were appointed by the EU to examine the conduct of the Austrian government, including its human rights policies and the status of refugees, minorities and foreigners, and “indicated that a negative verdict on the conduct of Austria’s coalition government would damage the cause of European integration” (London Telegraph, Aug. 28).

The irony in this action is unmistakable. Just last year, former EC President Jacques Santer and all 19 commission-ers serving under him resigned following embarrassing accusations of gross corruption and mismanagement in the EU administration. Romano Prodi assumed the position of commission president with vows of “great reform and change” and “absolutely no tolerance for corruption.”

EU sanctions were laid against Austria six months ago to protest the inclusion in Austria’s government of the far-right Freedom Party, whose leader, Jörg Haider, had been accused of fomenting xenophobic sentiment and openly praising several of Hitler’s policies. Haider resigned as head of the party in May, but it is widely thought that he continues to direct the party covertly.

Prodi is walking on thin ice. It appears there is still some room for political expediency rather than due process in determining EU decisions.