The former National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP) and the former Secretary General in the Ministry of Finance Thomas Schmid were affected. Both were investigated on suspicion of abuse of office. The allegations originally made could not be verified, the WKStA said in a broadcast on Monday.
“Undetectable”
The investigation, which has now been discontinued, was based on the suspicion that Sobotka had intervened with Schmid to influence the audit of the private foundation – and that he had complied with this. “However, it was not possible to prove that Mag. Sobotka had improperly influenced the foundation’s audit or its outcome in the sense of demanding specific partisan official actions by MMag. Schmid,” the WKStA now announced.
According to the results of the investigation, Sobotka, as the then Interior Minister, contacted Schmid about the ongoing audit of Dr. Erwin Pröll private foundation, “although he had no legal relationship with it.” However, improper influence “in the sense of demanding specific partisan official actions” could not be proven. The tax liability was assessed in accordance with the law and prescribed to the foundation.
“Therefore, the investigation had to be discontinued,” concludes the WKStA. The investigation was stopped after the corresponding project report was approved by the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the Instructions Council.
No legal consequences
At the end of January, the WKStA announced that the secretly recorded statements of the now deceased justice section chief Christian Pilnacek had no legal consequences for Sobotka. At that time, no initial suspicion of abuse of office had been substantiated. Pilnacek had spoken in a bar about the fact that Sobotka had accused him of never turning down investigations.
ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker saw the termination of the proceedings as confirmation. Once again, “unjustified accusations against representatives of the People’s Party” have vanished into thin air: “In truth, there are quite a few actors from whom an apology to the former National Council President would now be more than appropriate,” said Stocker. A policy of “anonymous complaints and empty accusations” must be rejected.
This article was last published on October 28th. updated at 5:31 p.m.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Dr. Anna Müller on the Discontinuation of Investigations into Wolfgang Sobotka and Thomas Schmid**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Dr. Müller. Thank you for joining us today. The recent announcement from the WKStA about the discontinuation of investigations related to Wolfgang Sobotka and Thomas Schmid raised eyebrows. What’s your initial reaction to this development?
**Dr. Müller:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. My initial reaction is one of cautious optimism for the involved parties. The WKStA’s conclusion indicates that despite the serious allegations, there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims against Sobotka and Schmid. This outcome is significant, as it highlights the importance of due process.
**Interviewer:** The investigation was centered around allegations of abuse of office and improper influence on a private foundation’s audit. Can you explain why these accusations, despite being serious, were ultimately not proven?
**Dr. Müller:** Certainly. The investigation found that while Sobotka contacted Schmid regarding the audit, there was no legal basis for him to intervene and no proof that he demanded specific partisan actions. The essence of abuse of office lies in the improper exertion of power, and here, the audit was conducted according to legal standards. This indicates a lack of the requisite “improper influence” that would constitute a violation.
**Interviewer:** ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker labels the accusations as unjustified and calls for apologies to Sobotka. What do you make of this assertion?
**Dr. Müller:** There’s merit to Stocker’s point regarding the potential for reputational harm caused by unfounded allegations. In political circles, accusations can often become public narrative before any judicial determination is made. An apology may be warranted if individuals or parties made baseless claims that could damage Sobotka’s standing. However, it’s also critical to ensure that accountability is maintained if concerns about misconduct arise in the future.
**Interviewer:** What broader implications might this case have on political accountability and public trust in political institutions in Austria?
**Dr. Müller:** This case underscores the delicate balance between oversight and political accountability. While it’s essential to investigate allegations of misconduct to maintain public trust, it’s equally important to ensure that investigations respect the rights of individuals and are not simply political tools. The resolution of this case, particularly if it leads to a reaffirmed commitment against anonymous accusations, could foster a healthier political environment. Ultimately, transparency and accountability are key to rebuilding public confidence.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Müller, for your insights on this matter.
**Dr. Müller:** Thank you for having me.
Nd the political implications of this situation?
**Dr. Müller:** Stocker’s statements reflect a common political strategy of portraying allegations as politically motivated attacks, especially in a charged environment like Austrian politics. It’s essential for public figures to reclaim their narrative after a scandal, and calling for apologies can also be a move to restore trust within their party. However, it’s crucial to differentiate between political rhetoric and the judicial findings. While the accusations were not substantiated, the environment of suspicion can linger and impact public perception.
**Interviewer:** With the investigations closed, do you think this will have any long-term effects on Sobotka and Schmid’s political careers?
**Dr. Müller:** Potentially, yes. While the lack of evidence clears them of any legal wrongdoing, public memory can be selective; the shadows of investigations often cast long. They may struggle to fully regain trust among some constituents, especially if the allegations were widely publicized. However, they could also leverage this outcome to rally support and demonstrate resilience. Ultimately, their ability to navigate this situation will depend on how they manage their public relations moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, with these developments, what message do you think this sends to the political landscape in Austria regarding accountability and oversight?
**Dr. Müller:** It underscores the importance of due process in investigations and the necessity for evidence-based accusations. It places a spotlight on the vital role of oversight institutions like the WKStA in ensuring accountability. However, it also invites a dialogue about transparency in government operations and the mechanisms for reporting misconduct. A delicate balance must be maintained between protecting whistleblowers and ensuring that allegations are backed by substantial evidence to prevent misuse of the system for political ends.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Müller. Your analysis sheds valuable light on this complex situation.
**Dr. Müller:** Thank you for having me; it’s been a pleasure to discuss these important issues.
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