Following the revelation of investigations against a senior staff member of National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ) due to alleged connections to a right-wing extremist German group, the Greens and SPÖ have demanded his suspension. It is unacceptable for him to continue working in the president's office. The ÖVP also demanded consequences. Rosenkranz referred to the presumption of innocence as a "high value."

Rosenkranz Commented

This applies in this case "as it does for every other citizen in Austria," the National Council President stated in a statement to the APA. Furthermore, Rosenkranz noted that his staff member has "always acted correctly and reliably." He praised his "integrity" and "collegial manner." This makes him "a valued personality not only in my office but also in all other offices," it was said.

The staff member assured him, according to Rosenkranz, that the allegations are "baseless, as he has been residing in Langenlois since 2002, for over 20 years, and not in the mentioned property, and has no knowledge of the items found there." The National Council President further noted that he was "explicitly not listed as a suspect or accused" by the German authorities during the house searches last year.

Calls for Suspension

There is a well-founded suspicion that "the right-wing extremist arm of violent neo-Nazis" reaches directly into the top management of our parliamentary leadership, said Lukas Hammer, spokesperson for right-wing extremism for the Greens, in a statement: "All democrats must see the alarm signals flashing red, this is absolutely unacceptable and we cannot simply return to business as usual." Hammer demanded the "immediate suspension" of the staff member by Rosenkranz.

The same was demanded by the SPÖ on Saturday in a press release: "It is unacceptable that an apparently high-ranking employee of the President of the National Council, against whom investigations are apparently ongoing in connection with Nazi memorabilia and ammunition, continues to be employed in the President's office," emphasized the SPÖ representative Sabine Schatz. This person should be suspended until the allegations are clarified and investigation results are available. The SPÖ expects a swift intervention from National Council President Rosenkranz.

The ÖVP also demanded consequences: "National Council President Walter Rosenkranz must avert any damage from the parliament and take the necessary consequences," demanded Secretary General Alexander Pröll in a press release. Rosenkranz had promised in his inaugural speech that he would be a National Council President for all parties. According to Pröll, he has not lived up to this claim so far.

House Search in Lower Austria

The high-ranking employee has come under the scrutiny of investigators in connection with investigations against the right-wing extremist German group "Saxon Separatists". As reported by ORF, constitutional protectors found Nazi memorabilia and ammunition in a forest house in the Krems-Land district. At the time of the house search, the employee had his main residence there. According to the mayor, he relocated it a few weeks later.

The forest house in the Krems-Land district was supposed to serve as a retreat after an armed coup. The constitutional protection conducted a house search there, supporting the German security authorities. According to ORF, this led to separate investigations, which are still ongoing. These were confirmed by Rosenkranz's employee. He received a list of seizures but has been living with his wife since 2002 and only visited his parents in the house.

Last November, the German Federal Prosecutor's Office had eight suspected right-wing terrorists arrested in Germany and Poland, who are said to belong to the group "Saxon Separatists". At the same time, around 20 properties were searched, and searches also took place in Vienna and the Krems-Land district in Austria.

(APA/Red)

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