EU’s man in Austria Martin Selmayr in hot water over Russian ‘blood money’ comment

Austria’s foreign ministry on Thursday summoned Martin Selmayr, the head of the European Commission’s office in Austria after he critiqued the country’s import of Russian gas, calling it “blood money.”

At a talk at the Vienna contemporary art fair Wednesday, Selmayr said Austria is financing Russia’s war against Ukraine, yet nobody is protesting against it, according to ORF.at. “This surprises me, because blood money is sent to Russia every day with the gas bill,” he is quoted as saying.

He has been summoned to the foreign ministry for an interview with the secretary-general of the ministry, a spokesperson for Austrian Foreign Minster Alexander Schallenberg announced Thursday.

Selmayr also said during the art fair he understands Russian gas imports are related to energy problems but argued Austria could afford to avoid Russian gas.

His comments caused a stir in Austrian politics.

European Minister Karoline Edtstadler criticized Selmayr’s statements as “dubious and counterproductive.” She said: “It is regrettable that an EU official also appears to be unfamiliar with certain facts. While Austria has demonstrably reduced its dependence on Russian gas and taken important precautions to ensure security of supply for the population, the quantities of Russian LNG … within the EU are increasing,”

Michael Schnedlitz — from the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria — demanded Selmayr be recalled and suggested he buy a “one-way-ticket” back to Brussels.

However, support for Selmayr’s comments came from Austria’s liberal party NEOS, as Karin Doppelbauer said Austrian sponsorship of Russia’s war “is a fact” and its dependence on Russian gas causes security problems, Die Presse reported.

Selmayr has been the head of the European Commission’s office in Vienna since November 2019, after previously serving as head of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s Cabinet and as secretary-general of the Commission.