Illegal agreements – new corruption scandal shakes Austria – News
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According to the secret document, there should be illegal agreements in the government.
Austria’s politics is once again shaken by a corruption scandal. But this time it’s not just the already badly battered People’s Party that’s hit, but also its junior partner in government, the Greens.
In January 2020 the world was still fine. The chancellor at the time, Sebastian Kurz, and the green vice chancellor, Werner Kogler, were sworn in. The two proudly present their 300-page coalition agreement.
“Lost credibility”
But secretly next to it there is a document with allegedly illegal agreements. For example, that the Greens are allowed to set top posts for state-owned companies. In return, they agree to a headscarf ban for female teachers. And cutting pensions.
The opposition primarily criticizes the Green Party. “The Greens, as a self-proclaimed clean-up party, have lost a lot of credibility here. If you are caught that you are selling pension cuts for people against posts and posts, »said Jörg Leichtfried, leader of the Social Democrats.
Half-hearted apologies
Beate Meinl-Reisinger, leader of the Neos parliamentary group, is also harsh on the Greens: “You can expect a transparent, open tendering process in Austria in 2022, so that you can find the best minds for a position, the best minds for a country. And no further according to the category ‘belongs to us’ or something similar. »
Chancellor Karl Nehammer distanced himself from the secret agreement, although he was aware of it. Vice Chancellor Kogler apologizes half-heartedly and verbosely. “According to our own claims, we have fallen behind in terms of form. I agree. We’re sorry about that too.”
Prosecutor decides
But in the given situation at that time, the closest negotiating team and he just decided the last open questions. He stands by that. “And the results are very, very good on the matter,” says Kogler.
The public prosecutor’s office must now decide whether criminal charges will be filed against Kurz and Kogler.