A daily newspaper published a corresponding photo of the Tyrolean SPÖ leader posing with a shot deer. According to the report, Dornauer confirmed that he took part, but did not claim to have fired. Criticism now also came from within our own ranks.
When confronted with the newspaper about the alleged hunting meeting with the founder of the Signa Group, which had slipped into insolvency – and bankruptcy proceedings had also been opened over whose assets – Dornauer first denied taking part in the newspaper and later admitted taking part after presenting the relevant photo. “I didn’t shoot,” Dornauer said. The hunting trip is said to have happened recently in Styria. Dornauer’s office was not immediately available for comment by the APA. However, according to APA information, Dornauer was not expected to resign, and the Tyrolean ÖVP, coalition partner of the Reds in the country, is unlikely to push for one either.
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A Tyrolean hotelier is said to have been present on the hunting trip. In the photo, Dornauer poses directly next to the hunted prey with a hat with an attached “prey break”. In hunting circles, the shooter is generally expelled. “That may be true, but it’s not my hat,” said Dornauer. He put on a different hat. Dornauer was recently considered for a ministerial post in a possible future federal government with SPÖ participation.
In addition to the opposition, clear words also came from the Innsbruck SPÖ on Monday. Vice Mayor Elisabeth Mayr told the “Tiroler Tageszeitung” (online): “For me, the measure is full.” She is “not sure if he can still hold on.” Benko “cheated the population and Austria out of so much that as a Social Democrat I have to be clear that with such an attitude I can neither go for a walk nor go on the prowl,” Mayr explains her position.
Criticism from the opposition
There was sharp criticism of Dornauer from the opposition. The Tyrolean NEOS state spokesman Dominik Oberhofer called for the Tyrolean SPÖ leader to resign immediately. “This misstep is now finally the last straw,” said the former Tyrolean club boss and now a member of the National Council. Dornauer has lost his last sense of honesty and decency. The Tyrolean Green National Council member Barbara Neßler believed it was a “clear violation of the law” if it was a hunt under an existing weapons ban. “It’s time for Dornauer to finally provide clarity – without excuses,” wrote Neßler on the short message service X (formerly Twitter).
List Fritz club chairman Markus Sint said that Dornauer had now “become conspicuous again”. He was “shocked” that the deputy state governor “sees nothing wrong with going hunting with billionaire bankrupt Benko.” After all, this “has brought many employees and entrepreneurs into financial difficulties or even their existence.” In addition, Dornauer is subject to an “upright weapons ban.” He now has to clarify whether he shot himself: “This is not a trivial offense or a triviality.”
In 2019, a weapons ban was imposed on Dornauer after he left his hunting rifle with an attached magazine in the car at Innsbruck Airport with the window open. Security employees finally discovered the weapon belonging to the then opposition politician Dornauer. The district administration issued an indefinite weapons ban, which was subsequently confirmed by the state administrative court. This also involved the loss of the Tyrolean hunting card and the confiscation of his weapon. Only recently did Dornauer announce that he wanted to apply for an annulment.
ePaper
To obtain a new hunting permit, which has now sparked further controversy given the recent allegations.
The incident has sparked a political storm, with calls for accountability and transparency amidst heightened scrutiny of public figures and their activities. The implications of such a public relations issue are significant, especially regarding the trust between elected officials and constituents. The reaction from both the public and political allies highlights a critical turning point for Dornauer and his political future.
the controversy surrounding the Tyrolean SPÖ leader, mixed with the complicated ties to businessman Benko, has exposed underlying tensions within the political landscape. As the discussions unfold, the political ramifications may extend beyond individual careers to influence party dynamics and voter sentiment across Austria.
