Trial against Strache – Hofer: wishes afterwards, but no pressure

According to the indictment, Strache Stieglitz was allegedly given a commissionership in ASFINAG for a donation divided into several tranches to the FPÖ-affiliated association Austria in Motion. The ex-vice chancellor is also said to have tried to have Stieglitz appointed to other supervisory boards, but that was unsuccessful. Hofer was then Minister of Infrastructure and formally responsible for the delegation of the supervisory board to ASFINAG and ÖBB, where to his annoyance Stieglitz did not get a chance. Hofer was also investigated, but the proceedings were then discontinued.

Hofer: “No pressure on me”
In his interrogation on Wednesday, Strache downplayed his own participation in appointments to the ÖVP/FPÖ government’s board of directors – he was involved and sometimes solicited, but Hofer made the decisions in his department. This was confirmed in his testimony on Friday. Strache has repeatedly (like other people) expressed wishes. “But there was never a ‘if you don’t do this, then…'”. He had never been pressured, nor had anyone offered him anything inappropriate.

According to Hofer, the appointments to the cabinets of the chancellor and vice-chancellor were coordinated. Through a side letter drafted as a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’, the FPÖ was entitled to two-thirds of the posts in the sphere of influence of the blue ministries and the ÖVP to a third, and vice versa in the turquoise ministries. However, he always took the decision to appoint supervisory directors himself and was not bound by suggestions.

Often suggestions from the federal states
Hofer also provided insight into how orders were made at the time. According to Hofer, there were a number of possible names due to personal contacts or suggestions from the states. These were then seen. “It wasn’t easy because the ministry was so big,” Hofer said. Due to the many participations, many vacancies had to be filled. In addition to professional suitability, personal ideological orientation was also decisive. But the overall composition of the supervisory board must also provide a coherent overall picture.

According to Hofer, he himself had a friendly relationship with Stieglitz. But he wasn’t a good friend, Strache had contacted him. The appointment to the Supervisory Board of Asfinag was based on his knowledge of the real estate sector – Hofer did not see Stieglitz’s lack of an academic degree as an obstacle, his professional experience was decisive.

Supervisory Board against donation?
According to Hofer, Strache Stieglitz has not promised a position on ASFINAG’s supervisory board. Such a promise was made in connection with the ÖBB, because Stieglitz, through a misunderstanding, assumed that he, Hofer, had promised him a posting to the ÖBB-Holding. “But I only promised to look at it.” The order came to nothing, as the chairman of the board, Gilbert Trattner, was looking for a financial specialist, not one for real estate. Therefore, at Trattner’s suggestion, Stieglitz should be taken in by the PO Box – but Stieglitz didn’t want that. Considerations for postings were never in the room.

Hofer said he only learned of Stieglitz’s payments to Austria in Motion later, when he became interim party leader after the Ibiza video was published. The association has hardly developed any activities.

Birthday party in Dubai
Also part of the indictment is an invitation from Hofer and Strache to Dubai for Stieglitz’s birthday party. But both refused. That wouldn’t have been possible for compliance reasons, and would have looked bad had you borne the costs yourself, Hofer emphasizes. He sees no connection between the invitation and his authority to appoint supervisory directors. He didn’t feel bribed either.

After Friday’s trial, the trial will not continue until mid-July and the verdict will be announced on July 29 at the earliest.