The FPÖ’s relations with Russia, but also with the media, will be the focus for the Greens during the upcoming meetings of the Commission of Inquiry into the “red-blue abuse of power” on Wednesday and Thursday. It is already clear to the leader of the Green Party, Meri Disoski, that the FPÖ is “a danger to our democracy”.
Austria had been infiltrated by Russia up to the highest intelligence and security services, Disoski said at a press conference, referring to the espionage affair surrounding former BVT employee Egisto Ott. “Not just there, but right in the middle” was the FPÖ, which functioned as an extension of the Kremlin. For example, former FPÖ Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache planned an Austro-Russian meeting with young Austrian officials at Russia’s request, as became known through chats.
A separate Russia-U committee is needed
Disoski wants to ask FPÖ boss and former Interior Minister Herbert Kickl questions to clarify whether the FPÖ has received something in return from Russia for this “nice course”. Kiickl must announce the termination of his party’s friendship agreement with Putin’s United Russia party, otherwise it must be assumed that this agreement will be upheld. Some questions about the FPÖ’s relations with Russia were recently not allowed in the U-Committee. Disoski hopes that the chairman will make a different decision this time. In general, she said, there is a need for a separate commission of inquiry on the subject of Russia.
The relationship between the FPÖ and the media should also be a problem. There were advertisements with positive coverage, Disoski criticized and discussed the involvement of FPÖ-led ministries in right-wing media – the “Krone” reported on it. Moreover, the FPÖ ORF wanted to ‘remove’ journalists they did not like and prevent critical reporting, she said about chats that recently became public.
For the Greens, Wednesday is marked by the monetary reform under then Health Minister Beate Hartinger-Klein (FPÖ), who will be invited to the U-Committee on Wednesday, Green MP Markus Koza said at the press conference. One billion patients were promised, but according to a report by the Court of Auditors, the reform cost 215 million euros instead. He suspects that this was about ‘recoloring’ social security. The Greens want to ask questions about how positions were filled and consultancy contracts were concluded. Koza criticizes the fact that files have been destroyed and he would also like to have access to the files currently sealed in the state archives. The federal archives law also “needs to be urgently reformed”.
“Mock of Parliament”
Disoski is concerned about the ‘blue loss of witnesses’ and the behavior of Kickl’s former secretary general Peter Goldgruber during the last meeting of the U Commission. He questioned the constitutionality of the U Commission, did not answer any questions and instead read a twenty-minute statement on the resolution several times. This is a “mockery of Parliament,” said Disoski, who expects those providing information to fulfill their “civic duty” and testify.
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.
