Former Finance Minister Gernot Blümel is today invited as a witness in the trial against ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (VP) for making false statements in the Ibiza investigative committee.
Blümel was, among other things, a negotiator for the turquoise-blue government. It is intended to provide information about the influence Kurz actually had on staffing at the state holding company ÖBAG, among others.
One of Blümel’s predecessors as finance minister, Hartwig Löger (VP), has already testified in court.
Kurz – like his former head of cabinet Bernhard Bonelli – is accused by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) of downplaying his role in filling positions for the ÖBAG supervisory board, for example. The ex-Chancellor’s statements contradict those of the state holding company’s former board member, Thomas Schmid, who was also invited as a witness.
Schmid stated that Blümel was the first point of contact for ÖBAG. A chat message from Blümel to Schmid said: “Don’t worry, you’re family.” Kurz’s confidant wanted to say, “Thomas, you are one of us,” Schmid interpreted this during his appearance in court.
He had the “closest relationship” with Blümel during the turquoise-blue government. It was hard, but often fun. But today there is no more contact, says Schmid.
On January 30th, ÖBAG supervisory board chairman Helmut Kern, Bernd Brünner, former secretary general in the Federal Chancellery, and ÖBAG supervisory board member Susanne Höllinger are scheduled to take the witness stand in the short trial. On January 31st, Günther Helm, former boss of the Hofer discounter and later on the ÖBAG supervisory board, will follow. It is not yet clear whether two Russian businessmen who had requested Kurz’s and Bonelli’s defense will appear as witnesses. They are said to have met Schmid for a job interview.
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