Will the FPÖ Inquiry Committee Get the Green Light This Week?
The Rules of Procedure Committee is expected to discuss the approval of the request on Wednesday. Whether the coalition will veto the two topics, which have few points of contact, and let the Constitutional Court (VfGH) decide, remains open two days before.
U-Committee on Corona and Pilnacek possibly before establishment
Recently, signs have increased that, contrary to initial expectations, the request could be waved through in the Rules of Procedure Committee. However, this is by no means certain, as stated by different factions. A decision is not expected before tomorrow.
The request was submitted by the FPÖ back in May. On one hand, it is supposed to investigate the death of the former Justice Section Chief Pilnacek, and on the other hand, the government's Corona measures. In both cases, the Freedom Party accuses the Chancellor's party of intimidating critics. An alleged "intimidation" of critics, for example by the Ministry of the Interior, is supposed to serve as a thematic link.
Range of topics causes concerns
The other parties initially saw too wide a range of topics. The ÖVP and SPÖ therefore announced that they would have the request legally examined. Practically, the U-Committee could be stopped in the Rules of Procedure Committee with a coalition majority for the time being. However, the Freedom Party would have the option to involve the VfGH, which would then have to decide on the admissibility. The FPÖ could also change the content of the request, although this is considered unlikely.
The U-Committee cannot be completely prevented, as the FPÖ has the necessary votes for its establishment. However, the topics could be limited. For example, a committee dealing only with the Pilnacek case would probably not face legal problems. In principle, the subject of a U-Committee should be a "completed process" of execution. However, there have also been U-Committees in the past that have dealt with very broad ranges of topics.
If the coalition parties ultimately agree to wave through the FPÖ's request despite all concerns, it could be established with the call of the topic at the National Council's Friday session before the summer break.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.