Also pressure on Zadic – Corona criticism? This is where Edtstadler gets “emotional”.

“crown”: The ÖVP and the Greens announced the creation of a federal prosecutor two years ago. What is the government waiting for?
Karolina Edtstadler: It had been agreed with the coalition partner from the outset that the federal public prosecutor’s office would go hand in hand with strengthening a fair trial. This includes speeding up procedures, higher reimbursement of costs for acquittals and dismissals, and strengthening the rights of the accused, for example with regard to the provisions on the evaluation of mobile phone data. I sincerely hope that the Minister of Justice will come up with proposals on this.

Why has the Minister of Justice Alma Zadic not heard about this until now?
There is no doubt in the coalition that it must be a package. However, so far we have only received proposals for the federal prosecutor’s office. If the creation of a federal prosecutor is important to the Greens, concrete proposals to strengthen fair trials are also needed.

Opinions also differ on the suspension of the statute of limitations. The lawyers in the BUWOG case have appealed to the Constitutional Court. This states that as soon as the investigation starts, the statute of limitations ends. The crime can no longer be time-barred. What’s the problem here?
A suspension of the limitation period is of course necessary. But it can only be determined at sunrise. Procedures must be completed as soon as possible. Therefore, a possible reform could start with the norm challenged before the Constitutional Court and narrow down investigations carefully. The public prosecutor’s offices would thus have a target figure within which they usually have to decide on charges or dismissal. However, that does not mean that investigations can be avoided. If a suspect goes abroad, for example, there must of course be exceptions.

Why do you want to shorten the procedures?
It cannot be the case that a procedure takes ten or even fifteen years. We are talking about a case (BUWOG process, note), in which a crime was allegedly committed more than 15 years ago and we are still a long way from a legally concluded procedure. A murderer at this point would not only be convicted in a court of law, but likely be paroled.

The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office (OStA) Vienna, Johann Fuchs, was acquitted by the Innsbruck Regional Court of charges of breach of professional secrecy and false testimony before the Ibiza U Commission. The Public Prosecution Service has appealed, although this procedure has already been conducted twice after it was overturned by the Oberlandesgericht Innsbruck (OLG). Shouldn’t it come to an end sometime?
Everyone is, of course, entitled to exhaust their legal remedies. However, it gives me a certain unease when an appeal is lodged again after a second legal procedure. That leaves a funny aftertaste. It is precisely in this procedure, in which so much has become public, that there must be legal clarity.

Chancellor and ÖVP leader Karl Nehammer has drawn much criticism for his statements on climate protection in his address to the nation. Why is the ÖVP struggling with climate protection?
I would reject that. Like almost all other parties, the ÖVP has recognized that something needs to be done in terms of climate protection. We have achieved a lot in this coalition. But I think we need pragmatism and thinking without ideology. We want to maintain our prosperity. For me, the end of internal combustion engines is ideology-driven and one-way. There are technologies such as e-fuels that allow internal combustion engines to run in an environmentally friendly way. There is no point in taking the reins and demonizing combustion engines before you know whether the technology is ready to run combustion engines CO2 neutral in five, seven or ten years. We will not be able to do everything at once, we must be aware of that. This discussion is taking place in many countries in Europe.

Don’t you think there is a need for incentives for environmentally friendly behaviour?
There must always be incentives, for example when it comes to public transport. I know many who prefer to take the train – if they have a good connection – or who have switched to an electric car. But electric cars also need energy and we will not be able to lay train tracks for every house in the Waldviertel. Many people depend on the car.

Isn’t the ÖVP telling the people a technical marvel?
Technology has advanced enormously in recent years. We must think pragmatically and free from ideology. We need different resources, we cannot replace everything overnight. But we must encourage science, business and industry to conduct research in this direction.

Does the climate case have a chance at the Supreme Court?
It is the task of the Constitutional Court to decide. Nevertheless, we as politicians must take the concerns seriously and at the same time guarantee security of supply. As a government, we have many interest groups that we have to represent. I don’t think the air conditioning makes sense.

Have politicians made too many mistakes in managing the corona crisis?
From today’s perspective, things could have been done differently. However, the worries at the time were existential. It was the care of life and limb and to say afterwards, that was all nonsense: I get emotional and that’s just wrong.

Has politics become more ruthless and aggressive?
There is a culture of excitement. Somehow we seem to be confused. But certain basic mechanisms of democracy still need to be recognized. Despite all the chatter, we must not forget that being politically active is not an end in itself, it is about promoting the interests of the people.

What do you think when you hear statements like that of the Lower Austrian SPÖ boss Sven Hergovich, according to which he will cut off his hand before the ÖVP gives in?
You have to think about what triggers things before you say them. The tone in politics has sharpened, people have become more ruthless.

Do you think this has something to do with Corona?
Corona has caused cracks in society and this has led to more polarization in politics and society. But Corona is no justification for the words to escalate.