"The Federal President signs laws and with his signature he approves that these laws are in line with the Austrian constitution. TTIP is a state contract and can be signed only after citizens of Austria have been asked in a form of referendum. I have said quite clearly during my campaign that I am against TTIP and, therefore, I would keep my promise and would only sign a state contract concerning TTIP if such a referendum has been held and the population has decided in favor of TTIP," Hofer said.
The TTIP seeks to establish a free trade zone between the United States and the European Union. The US government started discussions on the draft deal with the bloc in 2013. The details of the deal, including specific rules of market access, have not been released to the public.
The TTIP agreement has drawn severe criticism for the lack of transparency in the negotiations and for the tremendous power it would potentially grant international corporations.
