Austria: Van der Bellen calls for “general restructuring” after corruption scandals
Federal President Van der Bellen calls for “general restructuring” after corruption scandals
While ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz continues to be accused of corruption, President Van der Bellen wants to strengthen confidence in democracy. What is needed is a “transparent and perceptible general overhaul of trust”.
DThe Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has called for a reform of the country’s political culture after the latest revelations in the corruption scandal surrounding ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. “We need a general renovation,” he said on Thursday in a television language with a view to the corruption scandals in politics. “It needs a transparent, comprehensible and, above all, perceptible general renovation of trust.”
Corruption is “a crippling poison,” Van der Bellen added. “It’s about democracy in our homeland and trust in democracy, which is once again being massively shaken.” At the moment, he doesn’t think new elections are justified, he added.
The then Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz resigned as head of government in October last year after allegations of breach of trust, bribery and corruption. Later he also changes his position as ÖVP party leader.
The Austrian authorities are investigating the ex-chancellor and some of his closest confidants over the allegation that Kurz’s team has promoted his rise to power since 2016 through embellished polls and purchased positive media reports. In return, large sums, including taxpayers’ money, are said to have been paid for advertisements.
On Tuesday, an important witness had heavily burdened the former ÖVP boss. The former secretary general in the Vienna Ministry of Finance, Thomas Schmid, told the economic and corruption prosecutor’s office that Kurz was involved in the so-called advertising affair and knew of survey financing via the Ministry of Finance in his favor.
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