Wöginger criticizes FPÖ's Pilnacek investigation committee: "Somewhat disrespectful"

ÖVP parliamentary group leader August Wöginger criticized the FPÖ's planned committee of inquiry into the death of former parliamentary group leader Christian Pilnacek and various coronavirus measures. He found it "somewhat disrespectful to establish a committee of inquiry into someone who has died," Wöginger said in an interview with APA. The speculation surrounding Pilnacek's death contained "a lot of conspiracy theories." The coalition parties had denied the FPÖ's request.

The FPÖ has announced that it will appeal to the Constitutional Court (VfGH), which is now expected to make a decision. Two expert opinions have shown that the subject of the investigation is not the necessary, completed process within the federal administration, Wöginger said. The Freedom Party cited alleged "intimidation" of critics, for example, by the Ministry of the Interior, as a possible stumbling block.

We'll see how the Constitutional Court decides, Wöginger said, but: "We assume that it is unconstitutional as it was presented." The court's decision could then serve as an example. After all, there have been some "committees of mixed baggage" in the past, including on the part of the ÖVP. It would be beneficial if there were case law on the topic and it would be clear: "This is really how the framework of an investigation should be." The ÖVP parliamentary group leader is relaxed about the fact that the FPÖ could possibly set up two separate investigative committees. "We have nothing to hide," he said, "and we want to participate constructively."

The investigative committee would likely be chaired by National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ). Wöginger said he had been criticized in the past, for example, because other parliamentary groups were not involved in parliamentary events. This prompted outrage following a visit to parliament by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán last year, which was attended by numerous FPÖ officials. "But overall, you can also become wiser and more intelligent in this office," said the ÖVP parliamentary group leader. He himself is facing charges in the Braunau tax office case, but declined to comment further on the matter in an interview with APA. Wöginger has always maintained his innocence.

Wöginger sees no cracks in the three-party coalition. The fact that two NEOS MPs voted against messenger surveillance in the National Council last week was "a single exception." "We knew from the beginning that one or two NEOS MPs wouldn't vote in favor." However, the basic principle is that MPs from the governing factions also approve the proposed legislation. At the parliamentary group level, he says, things are going "really well" in the coalition.

In the polls, however, the ÖVP isn't really making any 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 is around ten percentage points ahead. Like perfume, one should "sniff it, but not drink it," said Wöginger, who is convinced that the tide will turn. They are at the beginning of the legislative period and are striving to do the right thing.

Rarely does a government see "such an intensive legislative review" in its first four months, said Wöginger, who particularly emphasized pension reform. Starting in the fall, the government plans to work on, among other things, the new social assistance system. This should be uniform, include a waiting period of up to three years during an integration phase, and no longer lead to cases like the extended Syrian family that received €9,000 a month. It should also include child allowances "as they are constitutional in Upper Austria and Lower Austria," Wöginger said. There, benefits decrease with the number of children.