Criticism from the local chief – “party financing”: a lot of noise from around 88 euros

Tolerated for years, now a scandal. We are talking about the membership fee of the municipality of Brunn am gebirge in the district of Mödling – after all, it has been managed socially democratically for decades – in the “red” entrepreneurs’ association. 88 euros per year is owed for this and is paid from the representation budget of mayor Andreas Linhart.

The local people’s party locates “hidden party funding” and puts Linhart through the wringer: “Most Austrian mayors are also members of a party, but the membership fees are paid privately. The action of the local chief not only borders on abuse of office, but is also party financing with public tax money,” said ÖVP Omann Oliver Prosenbauer.

The fact that the opposition has “overlooked” the fact in the examination board for years does not seem like a political tour de force. In any case, the tension at the tables of the regulars remains within bounds.

bad impression
Mayor Linhart, however, still understood when asked: “This membership has been around since 2010. In retrospect, it may not make the best impression. However, the municipality will certainly no longer pay this contribution in the future. If necessary, I will cover the costs privately,” says Linhart with a shrug.

Incidentally, the municipal committees explicitly state that the mayor’s representation costs are entirely within reasonable limits and – 88 euros less in the future – are probably not a cause for much commotion.