Even before the upcoming and long-awaited interrogation of fallen real estate juggler Rene Benko, the Greens have taken stock of the COFAG-U committee. During a press conference on Monday, party leader Nina Tomasell proposed a package of measures that should be decided during this legislature. She also took coalition partner ÖVP to task, who, after all, provided the Minister of Finance and who had been looking the other way for a long time.
Benko has already rejected three invitations to the COFAG investigative committee, but according to his lawyer he actually wants to come on May 22. But for the Greens this is no reason to wait. Tomaselli therefore wants to take measures now “so that the next shell player does not get up to mischief in a few years.” Anyway, time is running out. The Green politician wants to hold talks with all parties, but especially with the ÖVP, since the current legislature will not last long.
The Greens want fines for defaulting on bills
Specifically, the Greens call for strict penalties for failure to submit balance sheets of up to five percent of global turnover, as well as an obligation for all affiliated companies to consolidate instead of “sham constructions” by small GmbHs. Another point of the package includes binding guidelines for lending to commercial real estate. Consultants – such as Alfred Gusenbauer – are also not allowed to accept positions on the supervisory board and are generally held more accountable.
According to Tomaselli, stricter tax rules will apply to luxury properties in the future. Stricter requirements are needed to demonstrate that it really concerns a business activity. The outflow of assets to foundation havens such as Liechtenstein and Luxembourg must also be prevented. One option would be a European asset register. And last but not least, the Greens call for better resources for financial administration.
“If you do nothing, you are partly responsible”
Tomaselli was particularly critical of the ÖVP-led Ministry of Finance, which was actually intended to protect taxpayers. However, she sees a “consistent aversion” that continues today. It is not only in Sunday speeches that one should speak out against the system that made the Causa Signa possible. Tomaselli: “If you do nothing, you are partly responsible.”
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.
