Vice BM in sight – affair expands: even more election gifts

Anzengruber is demanding a membership inquiry within his party to decide who will be the ÖVP’s mayoral candidate in Innsbruck. He made that clear to him in a letter to LH Anton Mattle.

Idea appears in a new light
Apart from the fact that there is no such provision in the statutes of the ÖVP, Anzengruber’s idea comes into a new light against the background of his most recent distribution campaign. Because first handing out 1100 leisure cards to institutions for which he is politically responsible and at the same time demanding voter involvement in strategic decisions is a maneuver that is not so difficult to see through.

No base needed for vise post
In this context, it is also interesting that Anzengruber generously refrained from giving input to the rank and file when he was appointed deputy mayor. Apparently only the decisions of the party committees were still good enough.

affair spreads
Further reports emerged on Wednesday, according to which the 1,100 cards distributed to firefighters and nurses did not stop there: employees of Innsbruck’s social services (reportedly 1,400), water rescue services, Red Cross and mountain rescue services apparently received lavish gifts – each with a photo of smiling deputy sheriff Anzengruber. In total, about 4000 cards would have been distributed. The fact is: the action attracts circles, including political circles.

Greens also at a distance
Because the other parties do not want to accept the distribution campaign without criticism. The Greens, who have always defended Anzengruber against his own party – which is a treat in itself – are keeping their distance.

They feel alienated: ‘Instead of handing things out to a select group, Anzengruber should invest in the big picture. The Innsbruck Aktiv Card, as we proposed, would mean social participation for people with few resources,” says green club president Dejan Lukovic. In addition, the deputy mayor is expected to “explain well how these divisions came about”.

Chairman of the legal committee: “Problematic”
SPÖ city party leader Benjamin Plach, himself a lawyer, considers “the course of the entire campaign extremely problematic from a legal point of view”. He expects ‘complete enlightenment’ here. Passing on tickets as a gift is “not a formality, the relevant committee decisions must be made here”. Plach pinpoints “clear competence overshoot”.

Neos: “Shameless action”
“A completely detached, shameless action,” concludes Neos-GR Julia Seidl: “In my opinion, the mayor should become active as district governor and have the matter checked legally, because as mandate holder the deputy is an employee of the city of Innsbruck. In any case, we reserve the right to take further legal action.”

Control party list Fritz: Damage for all
“The allegations that have become known weigh heavily,” says Liste-Fritz-GR Tom Mayer: “The approach of ÖVP Vice Anzengruber is opaque and needs clarification for us as a control party, incomprehensible and undemocratic. By doing so, he damages the recipient, himself and the reputation of the city of Innsbruck.”

No crisis fire brigade in sight
No one from the ÖVP went out on Wednesday to defend the action. Not even Anzengruber himself – although he calls for transparency and ‘clean politics’ at every opportunity.

There is no sign of de-escalation in the city ÖVP. On the contrary, the signs point to a storm. And nobody wants to intervene as a crisis fire brigade.