National Fund: This Step Taken by Rosenkranz
Although Rosenkranz will not formally relinquish the chairmanship on paper, he will in the future leave the business to either the Second National Council President Peter Haubner (ÖVP) or the Third President Doris Bures (SPÖ).
Rosenkranz does not step down as chairman of the National Fund
Rosenkranz made it clear in the presidential meeting that he is acting in accordance with the law, but will also follow through on what he announced, namely stepping aside, reported Bures to the Ö1 "Mittagsjournal". However, the National Council President must wait for the announcement of the new law, as he has emphasized several times. This is expected to happen in the coming weeks.
The constitutional provision states that the National Council President, as chairman of the board of trustees of the National Fund, can also be "fully" represented by the Second or Third President. He wants to "step aside," he explained. Specifically, Rosenkranz means that he will officially remain chairman of the fund but no longer wants to appear publicly. "I will no longer participate in celebrations and award ceremonies."
Additionally, the Second National Council President, currently Haubner, can be elected chairman by the main committee. This would be the case if the political members of the board of trustees, active and former National Council and Federal Council members, apply accordingly. If there were also objections against the Second President, the Third President could be appointed.
Initiative by the Greens
The fact that the striking fraternity member Rosenkranz is, by law, also chairman of the National Fund as National Council President was criticized, among others, by victim associations and the Jewish Community (IKG). In response, the possibility was created on the initiative of the Greens in the National Council to transfer the office to the Second President or the Third President. The FPÖ sharply criticized the "ad hoc legislation".
The Greens were not entirely satisfied with the solution. Although right-wing extremism spokesperson Lukas Hammer welcomed Rosenkranz's announcement to "step aside," he demanded "clarity." It would be "insufficient to be represented only at celebrations and award ceremonies." It is about the entire work, including the chairing of board meetings. "Either Walter Rosenkranz is fully represented as a board representative for the duration of the legislative period, or we will initiate his removal," said Hammer.
The ÖVP also fundamentally approved of the step. "Walter Rosenkranz is stepping down from the chairmanship of the National Fund - even though I would not have expected this step, I would like to say thank you in the interest of the victim associations," wrote MP Wolfgang Gerstl on his social media channels.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.