Even if everything was correct according to his statement – Alfred Riedl (ÖVP) could not quite correct the crooked appearance of the real estate deals around the “Dubai in the Weinviertel”. The boss of the community association and mayor of Grafenwörth therefore announced on Tuesday that his functions would be suspended until further notice. Voices had already been raised calling for his resignation.
The Bureau of the Association of Municipalities met Tuesday afternoon. Riedl had already been faced with demands for his withdrawal. As the vice president of the municipal association and president of the Lower Austrian SP association of municipal representatives, the mayor of Ternitz, Rupert Dworak, explained that the Social Democratic representatives had proposed Riedl’s withdrawal to prevent further damage to the municipality.
Dubious real estate deals in their own community
“Krone” and “profil” had already exposed the stumbling block in 2021. Riedl is said to have acquired two parcels of land in the grassland on the outskirts of Grafenwörth and later bought two adjacent fields as receiver from the property developer. Nine buildings for the project were eventually redesignated as building land by decision of the city council. Riedl would have earned about a million euros from the sale of the affected properties.
Everything is legal, the head of the Association of Municipalities repeatedly stressed. Also on Tuesday he emphasized that he would not resign, that he was only dormant as chairman of the Association of Municipalities. It was said that the suspension should relieve the community association so that it could continue to work in peace. A vote of no confidence could not be tabled for formal reasons.
“Media Attacks and Speculation”
Riedl chose the middle ground: “I have asked First Vice President Erwin Dirnberger and Vice President Andrea Kaufmann to take over my duties in the Association of Municipalities until the next meeting of the Federal Board of Directors,” he said in a broadcast. The proposal was unanimously approved by the members of the Executive Committee.
Addition: “I didn’t deserve the media attacks and the many speculations and my family didn’t deserve it.”
With his temporary withdrawal, Riedl wants to take the association of municipalities “out of the line of fire”. In order to complete the procedure in peace, he decided to continue in this way.
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.
