Major impact in the Alfred Riedl case: As the “Krone” learned, the Austrian Association of Municipalities plans to amend its statutes in case Riedl does not withdraw voluntarily.
A Krone interview by the chairman of the municipal association, Alfred Riedl, caused a furore, apparently deep within the ranks of mayors throughout Austria. “He completely exaggerated it. Nobody really understands that anymore,” complains an angry ÖVP mayor.
One thing is certain: On Tuesday the Austrian Association of Municipalities responded to Alfred Riedl’s Krone interview and announced in an information letter a meeting of the federal board on December 1. This meeting was actually only supposed to be about information about financial equalization, so innocent so far. Actually – because the second agenda item put forward is much more explosive for Riedl. A possible amendment to the articles of association of the municipal association.
The articles of association do not provide for an out-vote
The background: Alfred Riedl resigned as chairman of the municipal association on July 25 due to the media pressure surrounding real estate transactions in his community, which were exposed two years ago by the “Krone” and “Profil”. Since then, he has apparently indicated several times internally that he cannot rule out a return as president. However, this appears to have received little approval from community representatives. In any case, the current articles of association of the association of municipalities do not provide for a new election or deselection of the chairman of the association of municipalities. So if Riedl doesn’t finally resign on his own initiative, the hands of his colleagues on the federal board of directors will be tied. And they don’t seem to want that to happen.
Bad optics? “What else?”
There is no other way to interpret their desire to change the statutes. “Insight is an ornament, but unfortunately it is completely lacking in Riedl. He clearly doesn’t want to understand that legal matters are one thing. The other is the image he leaves behind. Namely that we as mayors can take care of repurposing. The governor is absolutely right. This is of course extremely bad optics. What else,” said the ÖVP mayor. However, it is not yet clear whether a vote will actually take place.
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.
