The investigative committee into the “red-blue abuse of power” would have met on Thursday. However, all six invited respondents did not show up. This is a “declaration of democratic bankruptcy” and a “mockery of parliament,” said ÖVP faction leader Andreas Hanger.
All invitees come from the FPÖ environment. Among them are former Minister of Social Affairs Beate Hartinger-Klein and former chief of staff of Herbert Kickl, Reinhard Teufel. The club chairman in the Lower Austrian state parliament had initially agreed to participate on Wednesday, but was subsequently excluded and subsequently invited back. Now he didn’t have time anymore on Thursday. In the afternoon the same people should be invited again – for April 10 and 11.
Refused statement
The behavior of former FPÖ Secretary General Peter Goldgruber also sparked criticism on Thursday. He generally declined to testify Wednesday, arguing that the U Commission may have been unconstitutional. Instead, Goldgruber read a statement that lasted about 20 minutes. The Constitutional Court (VfGH) may now have to deal with the issue of constitutionality. The FPÖ and SPÖ had previously contacted them, but their request was rejected. The court did not consider itself competent to do so.
The ÖVP now wants to collect further evidence, for example about Teufel’s company car, which, according to Hanger, as chief of staff he should not have been entitled to. For example, it should be determined whether Kickl’s former confidant used it for private travel. In addition, the FPÖ’s “proximity to Russia” will be further examined in April.
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.
