Due to a letter about the involvement of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) in Russia, which Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) wrote to the highest European banking supervisor, Andrea Enria, in July, the Greens are now sharply criticizing the People’s Party. At least that is evident from a parliamentary question.
At the end of June, Enria, the president of the European Central Bank (ECB), spoke about the reputational, legal and financial risks associated with activities in Russia and Belarus. These had increased, he explained at the time in a letter to members of the EU Parliament.
Finance Minister Brunner Enria subsequently wrote, according to the “Presse”, that institutional pressure does not help banks with the difficult design of their exit strategy, but only increases market risk and lowers exit prices.
Enria criticized domestic banks in Russia
The head of the ECB had expressed dissatisfaction with the banks that remained in Russia, especially the Austrian ones, including Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI). The heads of the institutions should draw up “clear roadmaps” for reducing their activities in Russia and report on them, Enria said in June.
In a parliamentary question, the Greens criticize the actions of the Minister of Finance. “The rebuke of the ECB by the Austrian Finance Minister could reinforce the impression that the profits of a private Austrian bank in this country outweigh the European sanctions against Russia (…),” the small wrote to the large coalition partner. .
According to the “Standard”, the Greens asked a total of 14 questions on two pages whether Brunner had informed the RBI about the letter in advance and whether any discussions had taken place between him or representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the RBI. . The Minister of Finance’s answers were concise and consisted of twelve lines: “No.”
Brunner: “No risk analyzes on sanctions”
‘No’ is the answer to the question whether the RBI was informed about the letter to Enria or whether discussions were held with the bank. According to the answer to the question, there are “no risk assessments” on possible sanctions or repression by the ECB against the RBI.
According to the Greens, “the RBI’s continued stay in the ruthless Putin regime” poses a risk not only to the RBI, but also to the Republic, they told their coalition partner.
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.
