An expensive visit to foreign Burgenland countries in the US and Canada is now sparking debates at home. The ÖVP criticizes the costs of the trip, but the country immediately rejects them.
During the eight-day trip in October, an 11-member delegation from the country – including Governor Hans Peter Doskozil, his wife Julia, State Councilor Leonhard Schneemann and former Speaker of the State Parliament Verena Dunst – visited the US and Canada. Two representatives of the Burgenland community were also present. There were meetings with Burgenlanders abroad and their clubs in New York, Chicago, Allentown and Toronto. These types of visits have been a tradition for decades.
The People’s Party is critical of the costs
The ÖVP has inquired about the costs. In Governor Doskozil’s answer, these are estimated at around 100,000 euros. This includes costs for flights, hotels, transfers, reservations, invitations and receptions on site, gifts, etc. ÖVP state manager Patrik Fazekas criticizes: “The fact that Doskozil spends a six-figure sum on a trip while his government imposes additional state taxes on Burgenland is taxed in the last class.”
“Costs the same as previous visits”
The state governor’s office sharply rejects this: “The costs are the same as for visits in 2012 with ÖVP participation and 2017 with FPÖ participation, if you take inflation into account.” The visit will lead to intensified cooperation in economic, cultural and educational sectors. Family members would have borne their own costs. “The only thing that matters is the ÖVP’s attempt to change the political change here,” it said.
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.
