Sebastian Kurz after acquittal: Return to politics excluded!

Sebastian Kurz after acquittal: Return to politics excluded!

Vienna, Österreich - ex-Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) after his acquittal in the false statement-Causa came to the media and critically commented on “political culture” in Austria. Briefly pointed out that the Higher Regional Court lifted its eight-month, conditional prison sentence and acquitted it from the allegations in the Ibiza U Committee. He described the last four years as a "very stressful time", despite his privileged situation. The effort of the procedure was described by him as disproportionate, since 30 witnesses were heard and twelve trial days were scheduled. According to vienna.at, briefly expressed that the investigation procedures would often be operated too long and intensely, which is what the rule of law is shaky

The ex-Chancellor excluded a comeback into politics and referred to his entrepreneurial activities and his newborn son. Nevertheless, nervousness can be felt behind the scenes of the ÖVP, since some members see a possible return as a "Savior against Kickl" in short. The party is preparing for different scenarios, with jubilation in the party in the event of an acquittal. In this context, the uncertainty of short ’political ambitions shows, since its popularity within the ÖVP is preserved despite the setbacks, such as oe24.at reported.

The reactions to the acquittal

The reactions to the acquittal of the former Chancellor are divided. Irmgard Griss from the Neos was surprised by the decision of the second court. The board of the Institute for Business Law of the WU Vienna, Robert Kert, also criticized the long period of proceedings. At the social level, the acquittal was regarded as another example of the challenges in the Austrian rule of law, as they are also discussed in the Kreutner report. This emphasizes serious institutional weaknesses in the judicial system and speaks of a "two-class" judiciary in which celebrities are treated differently than normal citizens, which reinforces the demand for an independent general prosecutor and reforms that are now urgently needed.

Against Sebastian Kurz continues to investigations in the ÖVP advertising affair that have existed since 2021. The accusation is that tax money has been used for surveys from which Kurz and the ÖVP are said to have benefited. In short, it is convinced that this procedure will not end with a guilty verdict either. The current case underlines the continuing tensions and challenges in the area of ​​political corruption in Austria, which has been in focus since the "Ibiza affair" from May 2019, as constitutional blog.de

The future of Austrian politics could be strongly shaped by the development of these procedures and the associated debates on the rule of law and the need for reforms. The coming months promise not only for Sebastian Kurz personally, but also for the ÖVP and the entire political landscape in Austria.