Plan for subsidiary OMV – Important areas abroad? ÖBAG has an obligation

Outsource important areas abroad? difficult. Such as the planned partial sale of the OMV subsidiary Borealis to the Czech Republic. More than three months ago it was decided that the state energy company would sell its fertilizer division to the Agrofert group. Many people see this as a threat to food security in Austria and want to break down the planned deal with the help of the European competition authorities.

There is support from a report by renowned state attorney Heinz Mayer. He considers the sale illegal. “We have a chance to legally stop this,” said Stefan Pernkopf, deputy governor and head of the Lower Austrian Farmers’ Union. “OMV wanted to sell to a Russian oligarch for 400 million in advance. Now you get more than double the Czechs.” Pernkopf: “With Borealis you make a profit of 256 million in six months. That means you would have received the sales proceeds fairly quickly.”

ÖBAG is on the train for critics. The state shareholding owns 31.5% of OMV. And it is not undisputed. Ex-director Schmid’s cell phone occupies the judiciary and the entire republic. He and others are charged with corruption, presumption of innocence applies.

People want more control by the government
A survey by the Institute of Public Opinion and Demography (IFDD; 1000 respondents from September 5-9, on behalf of the “Krone”) gives the following opinion: Should fertilizer manufacturers remain in state hands? 77 percent say yes. Does ÖBAG fulfill its duties? 54 percent say no. Should the state exercise more and more control over ÖBAG? 71 percent are in favour.