The event was kicked off by the former chairman of the ÖBAG supervisory board, Helmut Kern, and supervisory board member Susanne Höllinger. Both described how they were asked by the then Finance Minister Hartwig Löger (ÖVP) whether they would accept these functions. There had also been previous contacts from Kurz’s environment.
“No friendly relationship with Kurz”
Höllinger was called as the first witness of the day. When questioned by Judge Michael Radasztics, she stated that she did not have a friendly relationship with Kurz or his co-accused, former head of cabinet Bernhard Bonelli. ÖBAG boss Thomas Schmid, who is putting a lot of strain on the ex-chancellor in this process, was introduced to her at an event by the then ÖVP advisor Gaby Spiegelfeld. This also brought up the topic of the ÖBAG supervisory board.
Image: (APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)
Höllinger reported that she was officially asked whether she wanted to become a member of the ÖBAG supervisory board by the then Finance Minister Hartwig Löger (ÖVP). He even wanted her to be chairman, but this was out of the question for her due to her busy professional activity – Höllinger is a banker and sits on several supervisory boards. She did not know the other ÖBAG supervisory board members beforehand.
“Dispensable formulation”
Höllinger was also asked regarding a chat between Bonelli and Schmid, according to which she was in a “Lower Austria network”. The witness explained the comment with her former job at Raiffeisen or possibly her role on the supervisory board of a Lower Austrian investment company. Schmid also wrote to Kurz that Höllinger was “controllable” and had also done “delicate things” for Lower Austria. According to the witness, the wording is unnecessary. Schmid later regretted that.
Kern also described how he was officially asked by Löger whether he wanted to become ÖBAG’s supervisory board and also its chairman. However, Bonelli had previously called him regarding this matter and established contact with the then finance minister. He had met Kurz in person for the first time at an “Austria conversation” in the Hospital of the Brothers of Mercy, where Kern worked. That was tricky, but at least other parties had already visited there.
“No contact regarding ÖBAG”
According to his own statement, Kern now finds it “unfortunate” that Kurz said he did not know Kern before the coalition negotiations. However, there was no contact with ÖBAG, said the former chairman of the supervisory board. Kern said he wanted to carry out his role as chairman of the supervisory board independently, as he had already rejected a post as finance minister “for personal reasons”.
Image: (APA/ROLAND SCHLAGER)
The WKStA also asked Kern regarding the tender for the ÖBAG chairmanship. Kurz had said in the negotiation that Schmid had tailor-made this for himself. The witness said that he did not question how things came regarding at the relevant supervisory board meeting. The quality of the tender itself was good – “I can’t comment on what happened before,” said Kern.
The last witness on Tuesday was Bernd Brünner, former Secretary General in the Federal Chancellery. His task during the government negotiations between the ÖVP and FPÖ in 2017 was to act like a “notary” in the steering group and to put the results – including the turquoise-blue side letter – on paper. He didn’t know that Schmid wanted to become ÖBAG boss. Kurz didn’t talk to him regarding it either.
Surprising proposal
Another surprise on Tuesday was a request from the defense that Schmid’s chats – either all of them or at least those that were not included in the house search – should be removed from the file. The WKStA was surprised by this, as the accused had actually wished to appreciate more news, including exculpatory news. Chairman Radasztics announced a decision for Wednesday.
What happens next?
On Wednesday it will be the turn of Günther Helm, former boss of the Hofer discounter and later on the ÖBAG supervisory board. In the followingnoon, the two Russian businessmen who allegedly had a job interview with Schmid will be interviewed via Zoom call from the Austrian embassy in Moscow. The last day of the trial is expected to be February 23rd, when there might also be a verdict.
