Mercosur: Neos demand course correction from ÖVP and SPÖ
The EU-Mercosur trade deal has hit another delay, now pushed back to January 2026. Last-minute objections from leaders like Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni contributed to the postponement. Meanwhile, Austria’s long-standing opposition to the agreement remains a key hurdle, despite calls from some politicians to reconsider.
Austria’s governing parties, the ÖVP and SPÖ, have stuck to their rejection of the EU-Mercosur deal since a 2019 parliamentary veto. This resolution binds the government to a 'no' vote, blocking any progress. However, NEOS Secretary-General Douglas Hoyos has urged the coalition to change course, arguing that the updated agreement addresses earlier concerns.
Hoyos claims there is no logical reason to keep opposing the deal. He warns that rejecting free trade agreements could harm Austria’s economy, jobs, and long-term prosperity. Critics spreading unfounded fears about Mercosur, he says, risk undermining economic stability. While Germany, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, pushes for ratification at the upcoming EU Council meeting, no recent lobbying efforts in Austria have surfaced. Hoyos sees the delay as a chance to overturn the 2019 veto, but the government’s stance remains unchanged for now.
The EU-Mercosur agreement now faces a new deadline in early 2026. Austria’s position stays firm, though internal pressure to revisit the veto is growing. The outcome will depend on whether the coalition shifts its policy—or if objections from other EU leaders persist.
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