While companies across Austria were shaking for the second corona wave in the summer of 2020, the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce celebrated with membership fees. About 54,000 euros was spent, there were 90 guests.
Sonja Zwazl has had a so-called picture book career. The Lower Austrian graduated from trade school, was a business owner, became a federal councilor for the ÖVP and then in 1999 president of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Commerce. She held this position until May 2020. She celebrated her retirement on August 27, 2020. There must be 300 people present. Due to the Corona rules, the guest list has been reduced to 90 participants. However, the cost of the event suggests that all 300 would have come. The bill was about 58,000 euros – it was paid with the membership fees of the companies. This is evident from a test report that is available for “Krone” and “Standard”.
“Expenditure on parting of this magnitude should be avoided in the future,” the report says. Zwazl, who has been deputy chairman of the Federal Council since January, emphasizes that she has not ordered the celebration. The Chamber of Commerce finds the invoice from the control agency “shortened” and believes that the accountants have charged 4,000 euros too much – the total costs would then be “only” 54,000 euros. In addition, they undertake to use the membership fees appropriately.
18,600 euros for commemorative publications
In any case, 18,000 euros was paid for the technology and 4,500 euros for the catering. EUR 18,600 was spent on commemorative publications showing Zwazl’s work as president. For the celebration, which was originally planned to be even bigger, 13,200 euros in cancellation costs were incurred.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
