The last person to be interviewed was one of the two managing directors of the Covid financing agency, Ulrich Zafoschnig. The former Carinthian ÖVP regional councilor emphasized that his application was not agreed upon with his party; he had applied in response to an advertisement. In the case of Rene Benko’s “Chalet N” there might well be demands for repayment. Previously, Alfred Lejsek, an official in the Ministry of Finance, spoke regarding the lack of corporate consideration in the subsidies.
No “turquoise self-service shop”
Marc Schimpel, another Cofag boss, has already stated at a previous investigative committee meeting that he is attributed to the Greens. Zafoschnig also denied that the Covid financing agency was a kind of “turquoise self-service shop” that was intended to help billion-dollar entrepreneurs make profits, as the opposition sometimes sees it. Zafoschnig revealed that he himself earns an annual gross of 220,000 euros without adjustment for inflation.
4,905 recovery cases
Although Zafoschnig was curt, he still tried to provide answers. There are now 4,905 reclaim cases at Cofag, around 34.7 million euros have been paid back in full, and 68 million euros have been offset. However, he was unable to comment on specific cases – such as the entrepreneur Rene Benko and his “Chalet N”. Apparently the funding requirements were met. However, it might be that the tax authorities demand something back. According to a report, the Ministry of Finance recommended 140,000 euros, as the FPÖ presented.
Zafoschnig also provided further figures on the commissioning of external companies to examine Cofag’s funding applications: eight companies were commissioned for this, and by the end of 2023 there was an order volume of 42.7 million euros. The Cofag managing director emphasized that these were individual companies that had been entrusted with this following a tender. The survey ended following an hour and a half.
“The mother of all misunderstandings”
Before Zafoschnig it was the turn of Alfred Lejsek, an official in the Ministry of Finance. He might not say whether party affiliation had played a role in the appointment of Cofag’s management team. Regarding the criticized lack of corporate consideration in the funding – described in a letter as “the mother of all misunderstandings” – the respondent said that the topic had been looked into and expertise had been obtained. This has to be repaired first, and as a result there will probably be additional demands.
Lesjek was also asked how the Covid financing agency came regarding. The usual funding institutions were not prepared for the difficult situation. Nobody offered to work, and working from home, which was common during the corona pandemic, also caused additional difficulties.
Lejsek emphasized that it was not the intention that some companies that received Corona funding ultimately made high profits. “Criteria have been defined,” for example for failures and losses. “The guidelines were followed and paid out.” He also didn’t notice any political interventions. Lejsek’s questioning – he was invited by the ÖVP – lasted around two hours. At lunchtime it was Zafoschnig’s turn.
Benko arrives on May 22nd
At the end of the Thursday meeting, a request was also made for Benko to be brought forward. However, if this comes anyway – as he announced – on his own initiative on May 22nd, it will expire on that day. There is no need for a separate resolution for the day of the meeting; this date was already set as the last committee day and was intended, among other things, for any official presentations and formalities.
