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Opposition in Austria sharply criticizes new Chancellor Schallenberg

2021-10-12T11:03:43.900Z


One day after he was sworn in as Chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg is already heavily criticized. The opposition attacked him in the Austrian National Council - and put 104 printed pages on the table for him.


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Austria's new Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg was previously Foreign Minister

Photo: LEONHARD FOEGER / REUTERS

The Social Democrats have asked Austria's new Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg to make a clear cut with the conservative power apparatus of his predecessor.

Schallenberg should part with all Sebastian Kurz employees who are suspected of corruption, said SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner in the National Council on Tuesday.

The social democrats are in opposition in Austria.

So far, according to Rendi-Wagner, it seems that the »Kurz system« continues to rule.

"He who follows blindly cannot lead," said the Social Democrat to von Schallenberg.

The chats of the ex-chancellor that became known showed a moral image of unscrupulousness and abuse of power.

Prosecutors suspect Kurz and his close confidants of having bought positive media coverage and embellished surveys with taxpayers' money.

Because of the allegations, the coalition of the ÖVP with the Greens almost burst.

Kurz denies the allegations.

He remains party leader and will move to parliament as leader of the parliamentary group.

In his inaugural speech in parliament, Schallenberg hadn't said a word about the investigation against Kurz, nor had he announced any plans to fight corruption.

"104 pages" Order of the house search

Criticism also came from the other parties.

Beate Meinl-Reisinger, chairwoman of the liberal Neos, had printed out the order for the house search on "104 pages" and handed it over to Chancellor Schallenberg in Parliament.

"It is a moral image of the moral decline of the ÖVP," said Meinl-Reisinger.

When Schallenberg immediately put the documents from his table on the floor, she went on to say: "This is the independent judiciary, you have to respect and honor it - even as Federal Chancellor."

The right-wing FPÖ also expressed sharp criticism of Schallenberg's first appearance.

The head of government announced the end of the new beginning in his first speech, said FPÖ parliamentary group leader Herbert Kickl.

Schallenberg had "given a pledge of loyalty to the deep turquoise state," said Kickl, referring to the party color of the conservative ÖVP.

lukewarm / dpa

Source: spiegel

All news articles on 2021-10-12

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