The third chairman of the National Council, Norbert Hofer (FPÖ), wants to personally submit the application for a flexi sentence against Hans Jörg Schelling. The former finance minister of the ÖVP had refused to answer questions about the Beinschab investigations into the ÖVP inquiry in the parliamentary inquiry committee. Upon receipt of the request, it is up to the Federal Administrative Court to decide whether or not any coercive measures should be imposed on Schelling.
Schelling was invited as a person to the ÖVP inquiry committee on Wednesday to provide information and was asked, among other things, about the tax case of the entrepreneur Siegfried Wolf – who stood before him – and other topics. Schelling announced early on that he would decide on a case-by-case basis whether to exercise his dismissal right, as he was being investigated in multiple proceedings.
Exemption right used generously
From the first minute, Schelling made extensive use of his right of refusal – much to the dismay of trial judge Wolfgang Pöschl, who led the first interrogation. He wanted to know why the finance department had spent significantly more money on studies than budgeted and why there were no documents for some such orders.
Since this subject was in the file in which he was being investigated, Schelling did not want to say anything about it – he had no insight yet and could still be questioned by the Public Prosecution Service at this complex, he said. After extensive deliberation, that was not enough reason for Hofer to be fired. He announced that the Federal Administrative Court would file a fine against Schelling.
application in preparation
It is not yet clear how high the fine will be. The parliamentary administration confirmed that the application was in any case under preparation. Hofer’s office has confirmed that he intends to sign the letter in person. This is the first case in ÖVP’s Commission of Inquiry. Refusal sanctions have already been requested, but due to unjustified refusals to the committee.
Source: Krone
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