On Thursday, the corruption investigation committee ÖVP mainly deals with filling posts at the Ministry of the Interior. However, the group leaders are still dealing with the former Secretary General of the Treasury Department, Thomas Schmid, as evidenced by their statements before the commission’s start. There was still criticism, especially from the SPÖ and FPÖ, at NEOS’s insistence on its no to further expansion of the commission.
Some deputies only find it difficult that Schmid testified before the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA), but has not yet appeared before the committee. ÖVP faction leader Andreas Hanger suspects that Schmid would be obliged to tell the truth before the committee. Schmid is “certainly a very questionable character”: “He only wants to be a star witness because he wants to save his own skin.” And, “He’s the lying baron of the nation.” FPÖ faction leader Christian was surprised by this Hafenecker: The “Lying Baron” was for many years the most important employee of the ÖVP.
NEOS standby no to continue
NEOS faction chair Stephanie Krisper again defended her group’s no to an expansion of the commission, attacking Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens), who had asked NEOS to go ahead. She considers it a “not very fair double play” as a vice chancellor to ask MPs to do something while not pushing through necessary reforms such as freedom of information and media transparency laws or the creation of an independent federal prosecutor’s office. office.
Hafenecker cannot understand that: as an MP, he considers himself “capable of multitasking”: “You can implement reforms and investigate further.” SPÖ faction leader Kai Jan Krainer also said: “Beware of those who think they already know everything.” The SPÖ also wants to request the committee to send electronic documents from the Federal Chancellery (BKA) to the WKStA, which the WKStA has not yet received from the BKA.
The official focus is on Federal Police Director Michael Takacs, who before his current position held various positions at the Police and the Ministry of the Interior. NEOS, FPÖ and the Greens want to explore how to get different positions in the Ministry of the Interior. The Greens also want to ask questions about Operation Luxor, which so far has not been very profitable. Then a now-retired official from the Federal Anti-Corruption Office (BAK) was invited.
Source: Krone
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