Rosenkranz to Chair FPÖ Parliamentary Inquiry
FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker assumes that National Council President and party colleague Walter Rosenkranz will lead the inquiry committee on the Ministry of the Interior. He is a lawyer, has no connections to the interior department, and is therefore not biased, Hafenecker said in an APA interview. The Freedom Party hopes for at least "partial" support from the Greens, with whom there are already "loose talks" about it.
Pilnacek's Death and Corona Measures Topics in the Inquiry Committee
The FPÖ wants to limit the inquiry committee on the Ministry of the Interior, initiated by them, to the last government period. In addition to the events surrounding the death of former Justice Section Head Christian Pilnacek, the Corona measures should also play a role. The request is currently being reviewed internally by lawyers. It could be submitted at the plenary session on April 24.
Hafenecker considers substantive alliances with the governing parties ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS to be unlikely. He refers to the government program, according to which deviating in a committee would mean the end of the coalition. However: "With the Greens, one can certainly talk about things partially." The FPÖ General Secretary expects cooperation in the Pilnacek case. However, on the topic of Corona, the Greens would probably also "stonewall."
Hafenecker Wants Broadcast of Inquiries
Regarding the duration of the inquiry committee, Hafenecker wants to use the full time. "We are in a comfortable situation," he says, as they are not at the end of a legislative period. The FPÖ is generally satisfied with the rules of procedure for inquiry committees. However, Hafenecker still hopes for the public broadcast of some inquiries. At least those of people who are publicly known.
Nehammer and Karner Considered as Informants
As already known, the FPÖ wants to focus on the last government period in the inquiry committee. Former Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (both ÖVP) are to be summoned as informants. Additionally, the FPÖ is already preparing for the possibility of a "revenge committee" from the ÖVP. Possibly on the topic of Russia contacts, which the Freedom Party views calmly.
"Deep State" Already in the Lucona Affair
In response to criticism that the FPÖ is speaking of the deep state in connection with the upcoming inquiry committee, Hafenecker replies: "If that is now considered right-wing extremist, we acknowledge that as well." "I am glad that the 'right-wing extremists' uncovered the Lucona affair back then," he responds ironically. "If you look at the Pilnacek case, it is quite comparable to the Lucona case," he refers to the conditions at that time.
The ÖVP also sees the inquiry committee chairmanship with Walter Rosenkranz. "It is clearly regulated, the president has the chairmanship in an inquiry committee," said ÖVP club chairman August Wöginger on the sidelines of a press conference on Thursday. Rosenkranz could also be represented there, he reminded. Whether there will be a separate inquiry committee from the government, Wöginger did not want to answer yet. One must first evaluate what exactly the FPÖ intends. "I can only do that once I have read the request."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.