Wöginger criticizes FPÖ's Pilnacek Committee: "Somewhat tactless"

ÖVP Parliamentary Group Leader August Wöginger criticizes the investigation committee planned by the FPÖ regarding the death of former section head Christian Pilnacek and various COVID-19 measures. He finds it "somewhat disrespectful to conduct an investigation committee about someone who has passed away," Wöginger said in an APA interview. Regarding the speculations surrounding Pilnacek's death, there is "a lot of conspiracy theory involved." The coalition parties had disputed the request submitted by the FPÖ.

The FPÖ has announced that it will turn to the Constitutional Court (VfGH), which is now to make a decision. Two expert opinions have shown that the subject of the investigation does not concern the necessary completed process in the federal administration, Wöginger said. The Freedom Party mentioned alleged "intimidation" of critics, for example by the Ministry of the Interior, as a bracket.

We will see how the VfGH decides, Wöginger said, but: "We assume that it is not constitutional as it was submitted." The court's decision could then also serve as an example. In the past, there have been several "hodgepodge committees," even on the part of the ÖVP. It will be beneficial if there is a jurisprudence on the subject and one can see: "This is how the framework of an investigation subject should really be structured." The possibility that the FPÖ might set up two separate investigation committees is viewed calmly by the ÖVP Parliamentary Group Leader. "We have nothing to hide," he said, "we also want to participate constructively."

The chairmanship in the investigative committee would likely be held by National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ). He has been criticized in the past, for example, because other factions were not included in events in Parliament, according to Wöginger. There was outrage after a visit by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to Parliament last year, where numerous FPÖ officials were present. "But overall, one can also become wiser and more sensitive in this office," said the ÖVP club chairman. He himself is facing charges in the Braunau tax office case but did not want to comment further on this in the conversation with the APA. Wöginger has always maintained his innocence.

Wöginger sees no cracks in the three-party coalition. That two NEOS members of parliament voted against the messenger surveillance in the National Council last week was "a single exception." "We knew from the beginning that one or two NEOS members would not vote with us." The basic principle, however, is that members of the government factions also approve the proposed laws. At the club level, things are going “really well” in the coalition.

In the polls, the ÖVP is not really making progress. In the APA election trend, which takes into account the results of the past five weeks, the People's Party is in second place with around 22 percent, while the FPÖ has about ten percentage points more. Like perfume, one should "sniff it, but not drink it," said Wöginger, who is convinced that the situation will turn around. They are at the beginning of the legislative period and are striving to do the right thing.

Rarely is there "such an intensive legislative record" in the first four months of a government, said Wöginger, who particularly highlighted the pension reform. From autumn, the government plans to work on the new social assistance, among other things. This should be uniform, include a waiting period of up to three years during an integration phase, and not lead to cases like that of the Syrian extended family, which received 9,000 euros a month. It should also include child rates, "as they are constitutionally compliant in Upper Austria and Lower Austria," said Wöginger. There, benefits decrease with an increasing number of children.

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