2023-12-15 21:32:05
The National Council sees no connection between the allegations and Sobotka’s activities as a member of parliament
Vienna (PK) – The National Council This evening, at the end of the plenary week, gave the green light for investigations by the economic and corruption public prosecutor’s office once morest National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. The MPs lined up Recommendation of the Immunity Committee unanimously stated that there is no connection between the allegations in the room and Sobotka’s political activities as a member of parliament and President of the National Council. Specifically, it is regarding the suspicion of involvement in the crime or incitement to abuse of office, in connection with a tax audit at the Erwin Pröll Foundation, as was publicly reported.
The opposition used the debate to once once more suggest that Sobotka resign from his position as President of the National Council. SPÖ MP Jörg Leichtfried, among others, was convinced that Sobotka was a shame for the House. Not only is he the first President of the National Council once morest whom proceedings have been brought for abuse of office, he also has historically low approval ratings among the population. In addition, Leichtfried sees Sobotka “as a central part of the Kurz clique.” Sobotka was responsible for “the rough stuff” in the clique and was “rewarded” for it with the office of National Council President. It is “poison for democracy” if rich people are more able to influence politics than those who vote, Leichtfried repeated an earlier statement. But that’s exactly what the “Kurz clique” constantly conveyed to the country: that it was better to be rich than to vote.
FPÖ MP Philipp Schrangl took up this image. It is actually poison for democracy if one has the impression that not all citizens are equal, but some are more equal, he explained. In his opinion, Sobotka’s list of misconduct is long. This puts a strain on Parliament as a whole. If charges were brought once morest him, Sobotka would have to resign, he demanded. Schrangl also criticized Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen’s silence and the Greens’ reluctance. For the latter, “the feeding troughs of power” are apparently more important. Both Schrangl and Leichtfried also expressed surprise that Sobotka himself chaired the meeting in which his extradition would be decided.
Nikolaus Scherak (NEOS), however, was happy regarding Sobotka’s presence. That gave him the opportunity to address the president directly, he said. He is making a mistake if he believes that a member of parliament might wish to be extradited himself. Parliamentary immunity does not protect a person, but rather the parliament as a representative body. In this sense, it is solely the responsibility of the Immunity Committee to determine whether there is a connection between the allegations in question and the MP’s activities and whether the conditions for extradition are met. In principle, Scherak maintained that Sobotka was causing serious damage to the office of National Council President. He appealed to him to “take a deep look at himself” and consider whether it wouldn’t be better to prevent damage to his office.
On the part of the Green Party, Agnes Sirkka Prammer once once more spoke out once morest allowing the National Council Presidents to be voted out of office. History shows that it is important to protect this office, she said. But it is just as important that the office is carried out with particular care and responsibility. This also includes recognizing when the office is no longer compatible with a person. According to Prammer, this assessment is not the responsibility of the MPs; ultimately, history will judge the administration.
National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka’s publicly expressed wish for the matter to be clarified quickly was confirmed by MP Friedrich Ofenauer on behalf of the ÖVP. In the medium term, he sees the need to consider whether non-occupational immunity should be designed differently.
National Council President Sobotka used the last meeting of this year to thank his two counterparts, the clubs, the MPs and the employees of the parliamentary directorate. The employees did an excellent job, he said. The first year in the renovated building brought many visitors to Parliament, and the new House was accepted by the population “with great enthusiasm”.
Before the debate, the National Council had discussed the reports of the Rules Committee on the establishment of two investigative committees. (Continuation of the National Council) gs
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