Dispute Over Campaign Costs: FPÖ Denies Court of Audit Access to Documents on EU Election Campaign
As part of the request for documents to review the 2024 EU election campaign report, the FPÖ informed the Court of Audit that it considers the relevant provision of the party law to be unconstitutional and will therefore not comply with the request. These provisions are part of the new audit competence: This means that the party must provide documents to the Court of Audit to safeguard its control powers. On-site inspections are also possible.
FPÖ is the only party to refuse review of campaign expenses in the EU election campaign
After the FPÖ did not comply with a further request to submit documents on the campaign, an on-site inspection was also announced. "The audit by the Court of Audit was ultimately refused by the FPÖ," it continued. Up to this point, no other party had refused to submit documents on the grounds of unconstitutionality. The Court of Audit will therefore approach the Constitutional Court to clarify this fundamental issue, it was said.
The Freedom Party, which according to their report did not exceed the campaign expenses, finds the procedure absurd. "Those who are economical are scrutinized even more. Normally, it should be the other way around," stated Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz in a press release. He raised the question of why the FPÖ should make false statements and thus forgo money that they could have reimbursed. "We have truthfully stated all costs, but we are not willing to invent expenses - even if that would apparently be preferred."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.