Pros and cons: Investigations against the ÖVP – does Austria need new elections now?
There is a lot going on around the ÖVP this week. The allegations are bribery, corruption, breach of trust and incitement to abuse of office. In a special session on Wednesday, the party leadership has to answer questions from parliamentarians. And Thomas Schmid will also testify after a long wait on Thursday in the U-Committee.
No one has been convicted yet, but it seems clear to the opposition that new elections are needed. While the ÖVP falls to third place in current polls, others are experiencing a high that they haven’t seen in a long time. But where some see an opportunity for a change of government and a victory for morality, selfish opportunism and a threat to stability in crisis-ridden Austria are identified.
Do we need a fresh start or are we in danger of being too quick to judge? Does criminal law or morality determine what politicians can afford? And will Thomas Schmid’s statements push the ÖVP even further into the crisis?
PRO AND CONTRA SPECIAL
Wednesday, November 2, 2022, 8:15 p.m. LIVE on PULS 24
Guests:
- Christian StockerSecretary General, ÖVP
- Jorg LeichtfriedClub chairwoman deputy, SPÖ
- Meri DiskoskiClub chairwoman deputy, The Greens
- Dagmar BelakovichClub chairman deputy, FPÖ
- Nicholas SherackDeputy club chairwoman, NEOS
Moderation:
Thomas Moehr