Ex-financial secretary general Thomas Schmid will come to the ÖVP committee on November 3. It is a new chapter in a political thriller.
Next installment of the Netflix compatible true crime story made in Austria. Leading actor Thomas Schmid not only wants to be a star witness, but also wants to testify at the investigative committee – on November 3. The spotlight is definitely on him. At the WKStA, Schmid placed a heavy burden on many ÖVP people and their loved ones, including ex-chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
From cat-and-mouse game to mud fight
The ÖVP accuses Schmid of lying, that he wants to pull his own neck out of the noose of corruption. The investigators were under no obligation to tell the truth. In the committee he must speak the truth, otherwise he will be guilty of false testimonies. “He can use the committee as a stage to consolidate his right to leniency status,” said political adviser Thomas Hofer. Schmid turned himself in to the detectives in April, then delivered undetected material for 454 pages in Graz. “A cat-and-mouse game,” Hofer calls it, leading to the public mud fight. The media and political opponents served and offered the statements with relish. The ÖVP fired back (including secret phone recording) against the “lying baron”. Hofer: “The ÖVP is in a difficult situation. The day before Schmid is questioned, there is a special session in the National Council on the subject. A double blow.”
Schmid had given the parliamentarians a basket twice. Well, after his official confession, he was able to deliver a basket full of presents. The tension is great. How will he act? Will he also refuse? In principle, he has the right not to incriminate himself, says Wolfgang Pilgermair, judge on the Hypo Committee. “But with things he’s already said at the WKStA, he should be able to credibly explain why he’s refusing.” Conclusion: “Every question will probably be judged by the judge.”
What do the opposition and the Greens expect?
What do the parties say? Jan Krainer (SPÖ) expects Schmid to confirm his statements, Christian Hafenecker (FPÖ) sees that too and hopes that “the insider knowledge will give new perspectives. That would be very important for the committee.” Nina Tomaselli (Greens): “In addition to the criminal law aspects, there are also politically explosive aspects. About real estate deals around Benko.”
Stephanie Krisper (NEOS) says it won’t hurt if Schmid repeats his confession under a duty of truth. “Maybe he can come up with more cases based on the known patterns of corruption.”
Source: Krone
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
