FPÖ Spis Facial: Strache's luxury life at the expense of taxpayers!

FPÖ Spis Facial: Strache's luxury life at the expense of taxpayers!

Floridsdorf, Österreich - The expenses affair around the FPÖ and its former boss Heinz-Christian Strache is becoming increasingly turbulent. A recently published final report by the Federal Criminal Police Office brings new details to light. Accordingly, the FPÖ apparently used tax money to finance a luxurious life for Strache. In particular, it turns out that over one million euros of public money were used for private expenses. According to Falter, Strache had been praised as the district council of his "list HC" until earlier, while the FPÖ considered the matter to be done, since Strache is no longer party leader.

But reality looks different. Despite the absolution by the party, central actors of the Spisfen affair, such as Federal Managing Director Johann Weixelbaum and Dominik Nepp, still hold high positions within the FPÖ. Weixelbaum defended Strache's billing, while Nepp, who at that time worked as a finance officer, did not comment on the current developments. The final report also describes significant defects in the control of expenses and indicates a climate in which the review of straches has practically did not take place.

Investigations and allegations

A completed investigation (https://kurier.at/politik/inland/spesen-causa-heinz-christian-strache-fpoe-dominik-nepp/403035105) has hardened in the summer of 2019. The report affects a devastating balance: total damage of 1,091,189.08 euros is assumed. Strache himself rejects the allegations and asserts that he has paid everything out of his own pocket. At the same time, however, the image of a conscious veil is drawn in order to present the expenditure as a party right.

The judiciary is investigating Strache and Dominik Nepp and five other people because of infidelity. In the run -up to the elections for the local council and the district representatives in three days, the FPÖ is therefore under great pressure. The investigation comprises 900 pages, 370 witnesses and numerous lecturers, and the possibility of an indictment remains uncertain.

corruption as a structural problem

The expenses affair is not an isolated case, but suggests a major structural problem within politics. According to the bpb, corruption is often closely associated with defective control and unrestrained personnel policy. The public administration is undermined by such scandals in their trust, which has a negative impact on democracy. It is becoming increasingly clear that anti -corruption policy is urgently needed, even if the necessity often only comes to light through scandals.

The trust of the population in politics is at stake. Necessary reforms to combat corruption require not only political majorities, but also a huge boost in the form of scandals in order to illustrate the need for action. It is to be hoped that the public and the judiciary will tackle this challenge together in order to promote the structures and corruption.