TIROLER TAGESZEITUNG "Editorial" from Thursday, November 23, 2023, by Michael Sprenger: "Politics and the secret records"

2023-11-22 23:13:58

Innsbruck, Vienna (OTS) – The ÖVP has a real problem with the secretly recorded Pilnacek statements. In terms of content, because she has a real beef with Sobotka, but also because she denounces methods that are by no means foreign to her.

Where should you start? With the presumption of innocence. In any case, recordings have emerged again that reveal a special picture of the state of politics in this country. A picture, however, whose contours have been clearly evident for months, which could be described as swamp and corruption; a picture of attempted influence by top politicians on the judiciary.
Specifically, it is about secret recordings of statements by ex-justice section chief Christian Pilnacek, who recently passed away. Without knowing that his statements were being recorded, he harshly criticized the ÖVP against his acquaintances. Pilnacek says they want him to influence investigations against party grandees. National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka particularly stood out, says Pilnacek. It cannot be clarified here whether the statements are true, but they can at least be assumed to be true.
Sobotka holds the second highest office in the republic. He is also one of the most controversial politicians. For months he has been competing with FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl for last place in the trust index. Because Sobotka never used his position as President of the National Council to act in a non-partisan manner. Instead of moving away from Sobotka, ÖVP chairman and Chancellor Karl Nehammer comes out to express his trust in Sobotka.
At the same time, the Chancellor’s party is trying to tap into the register of concern and outrage. The peace of the dead is being disturbed and KGB methods are being used. The ÖVP can rest assured: the Soviet secret service operated differently. But yes, it is true that one can and may criticize such secret recordings. But not the ÖVP, which recently resorted to secret audio recordings when it came to the attempted whitewash of former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. At that time, a telephone conversation between Kurz and his former confidant Thomas Schmid was recorded – and made public. And accusing your political opponent of disrespect doesn’t look good on the ÖVP either. It was she who pointed the finger at others after Pilnacek’s death and spoke about Pilnacek being driven to his death. However, these tape recordings can now be interpreted as a defense of the honor of the top official, who did not give in despite the pressure exerted on him by the Chancellor’s party. What should you stop doing now? With the presumption of innocence.