The opposition parties SPÖ, FPÖ and NEOS have agreed to extend the ÖVP corruption inquiry committee until its plenary session at the end of January. The three faction leaders announced this on Tuesday in statements that were held separately one after the other. The number of research days is still being negotiated. The trigger for the extension is ex-ÖBAG boss Thomas Schmid, who did not answer a single question when he appeared in early November – he should be invited again.
For NEOS, another interrogation of Schmid is the main reason for continuing the U-committee. Group leader Stephanie Krisper emphasized that it remains to be seen what legal status he will have by then – possibly that of key witness. The number of research days is now being discussed with the other factions, “within a very limited framework” they are “ready to talk”, according to Krisper.
“Use the best possible time”
The FPÖ parliamentary group leader, Christian Hafenecker, on the other hand, spoke out in favor of “as many research days as possible”. He was “happy” that NEOS finally managed to get their signature on the renewal application, even if it was only a one-month extension. “We will make the best use of this time,” Hafenecker said.
SPÖ party chairman Jan Krainer was also happy with the extension to be able to process the outstanding questions. Now all five parties are asked to make an addition to the work plan. The regulations state that there must be at least four measurement days per month. “We are taking a pragmatic approach,” says Krainer, who is confident that talks between the five factions will lead to a consensus.
Is there a renewed threat of non-rejection?
Before the survey, the ÖVP and the Greens were not impressed by the extension. It is the right of the minority and must therefore be recognised. However, ÖVP party leader Andreas Hanger emphasized that the work plan, ie which informants are invited, should then be determined by mutual agreement, so that the ÖVP has an important voice. In any case, a new indictment from ex-ÖBAG boss Thomas Schmid is welcome, according to Hanger. However, it’s questionable whether the investigation made any sense at all, as the Federal Administrative Court largely recognized Schmid’s denials as legal when he first appeared.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
