During his tenure, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen disallowed most criminal prosecutions for defamation of his person. According to a request from the FPÖ, he only gave permission in seven cases out of 59.
For the Federal President, it is “clear that as an official and as a public person he has to endure more slander than a private person,” according to the President’s Office. However, he makes use of his right if third parties are also affected and must therefore be protected, or if he is accused of breaking the law. The question of whether Van der Bellen agrees to investigations against FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl has recently received attention. In his Ash Wednesday speech, he described the head of state as a “mummy” and called him “senile”. This procedure has since been discontinued due to lack of permission from Van der Bellen.
insults and slander
In total, the Federal President waived criminal charges in 52 cases. On the other hand, he gave his consent seven times. It was about insult and slander. The persons have been convicted in four cases, in two of which other criminal offenses such as dangerous threats, incitement to hatred or prohibited crimes have been added. In addition to Van der Bellen, Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) each gave corresponding authorization.
According to Article 117 of the Penal Code, “offences against honour”, i.e. defamation and insults, are prosecuted if they are directed against the Federal President, the National Council, the Federal Council, the Federal Assembly or a state parliament, against the armed forces or an authority. The FPÖ recently called for the paragraph to be revised. “Sanctions for ‘insult to majesty’ have no place in the 21st century,” Secretary-General Christian Hafenecker said in a broadcast.
Heinz Fischer never agreed
“Federal President Van der Bellen should stop arbitrarily using his ‘special prosecution right’, especially since it has turned out that in many cases there are no criminally relevant decisions, but that the victims are saddled with court and lawyer costs,” he said. . added. Former Federal President Heinz Fischer never gave permission.
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.
