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The ÖVP has fulfilled its announcement and sent an application to the Ministry of Justice to register the house of Finance Minister Gernot Blümel (ÖVP) through his parliamentary club.
7:40 p.m., February 17, 2021
Among other things, it asks what information or references the housing registration application was based on. The SPÖ, however, criticized the ÖVP for its “repeated attacks” on the judiciary, and the FPÖ also resisted political interference..
In its investigation, the parliamentary club ÖVP also wants to know whether it has been verified whether a Novomatic donation has actually been made to the ÖVP. Another question is about the possible obstacle to the work of the WKStA. For example, the Ministry of Justice must announce if the donation information posted has been seen or if a recipient of the donation has been asked. In general, one would like to know what suspicions had led to Blümel being listed as a suspect. The WKStA is checking to see if there have been donations for political favors.
The parliamentary question also repeatedly investigates why it took so long from the authorization of the house search to its implementation and when the Public Ministry was informed of the matter.
The meaning of the review is also indirectly questioned: “What objects or traces did the central prosecutor’s office hope to find during the search of Gernot Blümel’s house for the prosecution of white-collar crimes and corruption, especially since, according to media reports, the matter to be clarified refers to a period? Which Sebastián Kurz was Minister of Foreign Affairs and which is, therefore, more than three years ago? “
The Popular Party also recognizes the rhetoric of the SPÖ and FPÖ in the files of the economic and corruption prosecutor’s office: “Why, for example, is there talk of the ‘seizure of power’ of Sebastian Kurz and not, as is usual in democratic parties and systems, of the ‘election as party chairman’?”, The Department of Justice currently run by Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) wonders.
What is “striking” for the People’s Party Club is that in some documents of the Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, events are presented, in which up to a hundred people were present, as if they were in person or confidential. one speaks. This refers to Kurz’s meetings with commercial representatives, in which the Novomatic manager Harald Neumann was also present.
Finally, the ÖVP acquits Blümel of all accusations indirectly, asking what the WKStA intends to do now in the context that the finance minister was able to refute all the accusations and suspicions within 48 hours.
The leader of the ÖVP in the Ibiza investigation commission, Wolfgang Gerstl, He also announced on Wednesday another parliamentary issue dealing with the Testimony of former corruption prosecutor Christina Jilek on the committee employee. In his questionnaire, this had reported “disturbing fires” that had hampered the investigation into the Ibiza affair. Jilek then threw in the towel as a corruption lawyer. Gerstl now wants Jilek’s allegations cleared up.
Federal Director General of SPÖ Meanwhile, Christian Deutsch harshly criticized the “repeated attacks by ÖVP Chancellor Kurz and his closest circle to the independent judiciary.” “The fact that the turquoise constitution minister (Karoline, note) Edtstadler, as a former judge, continues Kurz’s attacks on the judiciary, which endanger democracy, is outrageous,” he said about his statements in the “ZiB2 ” from yesterday. He criticized the fact that Edtstadler had told the investigation against Blümel that “we must help to make way for the presumption of innocence.” This reveals “an understanding of the rule of law and the separation of powers that should sound the alarm bells for all Democrats.” “Don’t touch the independent judiciary!” Said the managing director of SP.
FPÖ leader Norbert Hofer also objected to political interference on the sidelines of a press conference: “I think it is good that we have a separation of powers, that politics does not interfere.” However, he wishes there were “less leaks”. “Not to protect people in public life, but to protect research,” Hofer said.
The ÖVP’s parliamentary request to search Blümel’s house criticized the leader of the parliamentary group NEOS in the commission of inquiry, Stephanie krisper: “After its attacks on substantive conversations, press conferences and interviews, the ÖVP is now abusing the important instrument of parliamentary investigations to intimidate the WKStA, put political pressure on it and influence investigations. That is unworthy of a ruling party. “
And the criticism came again from the Greens. “The request contains numerous more or less hidden allegations and should be seen as a new attack on the economic and corruption prosecution,” Judge spokeswoman Agnes Sirkka Prammer said in a broadcast: “The ÖVP is obviously primarily concerned about the request in this case. to use as a means to broadcast their own representations. An interest in real lighting, none can be recognized. “
