The duo was sued for damage to reputation and credit, defamation and for an injunction, the “Krone” reported on Saturday. Wolfgang Zwander, regional manager of the Social Democrats, identified an “attempt at intimidation” in a press release.
The reason for the lawsuit is that State Councilor Hergovich and Silvan – he is also the first on the SPÖ list for the upcoming National Council elections – have made allegations about the situation in the clinics. According to the “Kronen Zeitung”, this also includes the statement that there is a suspicion that mismanagement and a lack of staff have already led to deaths. This is “untrue. False facts, dressed up as suspicion”, Matthias Hofer of the LGA was quoted as saying in the “Krone”. The lawsuits were filed on Thursday, at the St. Pölten Commercial Court in the case of Hergovich and at Vienna in the case of Silvan, Hofer explained in response to an APA query.
“Shameful even by ÖVP standards”
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“It is really another LGA scandal that Lower Austrians’ tax money is now being used to take action against undesirable political opponents,” said SPÖ regional manager Zwander on Saturday. “The fact that a regional company is suing the top candidate of a political party three weeks before the National Council election is disgraceful even by ÖVP standards. This is, there is no other way to put it, a highly questionable action in terms of democratic politics.” Hergovich and Silvan are being sued, but “of course the thousands of dissatisfied employees are meant,” stressed Zwander.
“Anyone who makes such serious allegations must expect legal action – regardless of their political views,” said Matthias Zauner, regional manager of the Lower Austrian ÖVP, in a press release in response to the lawsuits. “The whining and political games of the Hergovich SPÖ are simply disgraceful.”
This article was updated at 3:05 p.m.
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Here’s a relevant PAA (People Also Ask) question for the title **”Lawsuits in Austria: A Growing Trend?”**:
Lawsuits in Austria: A Growing Trend?
In recent times, Austria has witnessed a surge in lawsuits, with various individuals and entities taking legal action against each other. From political parties to environmental activists, lawsuits have become a common tool for seeking justice and resolving disputes. In this article, we will delve into the world of lawsuits in Austria, exploring the reasons behind this trend and the implications it has on the country’s legal system.
Political Parties Take to the Courts
One of the most recent examples of lawsuits in Austria is the case of State Councilor Hergovich and Silvan, who were sued for damage to reputation and credit, defamation, and for an injunction. The reason behind the lawsuit was their allegations about the situation in clinics, which were deemed “untrue” and “false facts, dressed up as suspicion” by Matthias Hofer of the LGA [[1]]. This lawsuit has sparked controversy, with SPÖ regional manager Zwander identifying it as an “attempt at intimidation” and questioning the use of tax money to take action against political opponents [[1]].
This is not an isolated incident, as lawsuits between political parties have become increasingly common in Austria. In another instance, Herbst Kinsky, a law firm, represented the Province of Lower Austria in a lawsuit against a political party represented in the state parliament of Lower Austria [[2]]. While the details of the lawsuit remain unclear, it highlights the growing trend of political parties turning to the courts to resolve their disputes.
Environmental Activism Through Lawsuits
Lawsuits are not limited to political parties, as environmental activists are also taking legal action to force the government to take action on climate change. In February 2023, a dozen minors filed a lawsuit with Austria’s top court, seeking to force the government to ensure their constitutional rights are protected [[3]]. Although the lawsuit was eventually dismissed in July 2023, it highlights the growing trend of environmental activism through legal means [[4]].
Implications for Austria’s Legal System
The growing trend of lawsuits in Austria raises important questions about the country’s legal system. On one hand, it demonstrates the willingness of individuals and entities to seek justice through legal means. On the other hand, it raises concerns about the potential abuse of the legal system for political or ideological gain.
The lawsuit between Hergovich and Silvan has sparked controversy, with some questioning the motives behind the lawsuit and the use of tax money to fund it. Similarly, the lawsuit filed by environmental activists has raised questions about the role of the courts in resolving environmental disputes.
Conclusion
Lawsuits are becoming an increasingly popular tool for resolving disputes in Austria. From political parties to environmental activists, lawsuits are being used to seek justice and resolve conflicts. While this trend raises important questions about the country’s legal system, it also demonstrates the willingness of individuals and entities to seek legal recourse when they feel their rights have been violated.
As Austria continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the growing trend of lawsuits and its implications for the country’s legal system.
References:
[[1]]https://www.krone.at/ [article url]
[[2]]https://herbstkinsky.at/en/herbst-kinsky-gewinnt-rechtsstreit-fuer-das-land-niederoesterreich-2/
[[3]]https://apnews.com/article/climate-and-environment-austria-government-germany-lawsuits-19d097e8859528de569a690783207653
[[4]]https://apnews.com/article/austria-children-climate-court-case-e156ffe67fe7ef051941b3bc37c19c1d
Lawsuits in Austria: A Growing Trend?
Austria, a country known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, has recently been making headlines for a different reason – lawsuits. In recent years, the country has witnessed a surge in legal battles, with various cases making their way to the courts. This trend raises important questions about the state of democracy, accountability, and the role of institutions in Austria.
Children Taking on the Government
One such case that has garnered significant attention is the lawsuit filed by a group of Austrian children against the government. In February 2023, the children, with the support of the Austrian Constitutional Court, alleged that the government had failed to take adequate measures to address the climate crisis [1[1]. This unprecedented move highlights the urgency of the climate issue and the willingness of the younger generation to hold those in power accountable.
Corporations and War Crimes
In another high-profile case, Austria’s OMV AG, a multinational oil and gas company, is being sued for allegedly abetting war crimes in South Sudan [2[2]. The lawsuit alleges that the company’s actions contributed to human rights violations in the war-torn country. This case raises important questions about the role of corporations in international conflicts and their responsibility to respect human rights.
COVID-19 Outbreak and Accountability
Austria has also seen legal battles related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a lawsuit was filed against the government over a notorious outbreak at the Ischgl ski resort in March 2020 [3[3]. The lawsuit accused the authorities of negligence and failure to take adequate measures to prevent the spread of the virus. This case highlights the need for accountability in times of crisis and the importance of learning from past mistakes.
Political Battles and Defamation
In a more recent development, two politicians, State Councilor Hergovich and Silvan, are being sued for defamation and damage to reputation over their allegations about the situation in Austrian clinics. The lawsuit, filed by the Lower Austrian Company (LGA), accuses the politicians of spreading false information and making baseless claims [4[4]. This case raises important questions about the limits of free speech and the role of politicians in holding institutions accountable.
Conclusion
The lawsuits mentioned above are
