Because he is a Red and therefore did not fit into the political concept, a three-star general from Innviertel would have been passed over for a top position in the Ministry of Defense. Now he was tried immediately after a complaint, but Lieutenant General Karl Schmidseder declined the offered compensation.
Lieutenant General Karl Schmidseder, who is considered close to the SPÖ, was vindicated before the Federal Equal Treatment Commission after he was not considered for a top job at the Ministry of Defense. The reason it was not taken into account was “his political views”.
Tender “turned”
According to media reports, the employer “already preferred a candidate who was close to the ÖVP at the time of the advertisement,” the committee writes. By designing the tender, the Ministry of Defense wanted to ensure “that the applicant is successful with its application”.
Kopfinger made his career in Vienna
Schmidseder, who comes from Kopfing in the Innviertel and is chief of staff under Defense Minister Hans Peter Doskozil (SPÖ), had applied for the civilian position of general director of defense policy, as did two civilians and another soldier. This is one of the top jobs advertised as a result of the headquarters reform decided by Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP). As a result of the reform, the previous departments of the ministry became directorates.
General even wanted to take off his uniform
Basically, there are civilian and military positions in the federal military. Civilians cannot apply for military positions, but the other way around is possible and often practiced. However, when a soldier is assigned to a civilian position, he must “take off his uniform.” Schmidseder, who also obtained a ‘citizen’s diploma’, was apparently willing to do this.
“Established practice”
However, the application process for the position of Director General was only assessed by citizens. The ministry states that the possibility for soldiers to apply for civilian positions does not apply to high positions such as director general, which is common. Arnold Kammel, Tanner’s chief of staff at the time, subsequently got the job.
Now things are taking things up a notch
Schmidseder then turned to the Federal Equal Treatment Commission. It stated that the Ministry of Defense had made a “non-objective pre-selection”. The fact that Schmidseder’s application was not taken into account “represents discrimination based on ideology.” The case is now before the Federal Administrative Court because the compensation offered to Schmidseder by the Ministry of Defense was too low.
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.
