In terms of corruption, political parties are currently in a difficult position in public perception. According to a survey by opinion polling institute Unique Research for the news magazine “profil”, 48 percent of those polled believe that all parties indiscriminately are prone to corruption sooner or later.
Among ÖVP voters, 72 percent believe that all parties are susceptible to corruption, among SPÖ voters 34 percent and among FPÖ voters 39 percent. 35 percent of those polled indicated that the ÖVP had a real problem with corruption and that it differed from the other parties. 500 people were surveyed, the maximum fluctuation range is plus/minus 4.4 percent.
Negotiations to tighten criminal law on corruption
After the Federal President’s warnings regarding the Schmid Causa, the ÖVP and the Greens are now negotiating more intensively about tightening the criminal law on corruption. Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens) has specified one point in her draft, which was presented to the ÖVP over a year ago, Green club president Sigrid Maurer confirmed on Friday.
Social Democrats want to increase the number of sentences
The SPÖ plans to table a motion at the special session of the National Council next week to tighten the corruption penalties for politicians. The Social Democrats propose an increase in the penalty and an extension of the limitation period. “The highest standards must apply to top politicians. It’s about regaining lost faith in politics and preventing corruption in the future as best as possible,” said deputy club boss Jörg Leichtfried.
Punishment up to five years in prison
“Wednesday will show how seriously the federal government takes the president’s appeal,” Leichtfreid told the APA. Most offenses against office (criminal breaches of office duties, corruption and related offences) such as abuse of office, incitement to abuse of office, bribery and corruption are currently punishable by up to five years in prison. This applies equally to all civil servants (ministers for police officers).
Source: Krone
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