The Austrian Green Party has lost its faction status in the Federal Council following a vote where the ÖVP and FPÖ opposed their request.

This decision comes after the Greens' reduced representation to four members due to losses in the Styrian elections.

Traditionally, parties with fewer than five members have been granted faction status with council approval, a practice that previously benefited the FPÖ.

Losing this status strips the Greens of key parliamentary rights, including voting in committees and participating in leadership meetings.

Green leaders Marco Schreuder and Sigrid Maurer criticized the move as an undemocratic attempt to silence opposition.

The ÖVP's alignment with the FPÖ in this decision has drawn sharp criticism, with accusations of undermining democratic norms.

The Greens have vowed to continue their opposition despite this setback.