FPÖ starts U-committee: ÖVP's abuse of power under the microscope!

FPÖ starts U-committee: ÖVP's abuse of power under the microscope!

On May 20, 2025, the FPÖ announced its plans for a new parliamentary investigative committee against the ÖVP. The focus of the “ÖVP Abuse of Power Investigative Committee” is on the alleged abuse of power, the death of Christian Pilnacek and how governments deal with critics during the Corona period. The application is to be submitted to a special session of the National Council on May 21st, as [5min](https://www.5min.at/5202505201018/fpoe-bring-u- committee-zu-oevp-machtverkehrs-auf-den-weg/) reports.

A central demand of the FPÖ concerns the investigation of political influence on investigative authorities. Particular attention is paid to the intimidation of government critics as well as possible interventions in the Ministry of the Interior and Justice as well as the Federal Chancellery. In addition, connections between the investigation into the death of ex-section chief Christian Pilnacek and the measures against critics during the corona pandemic will be examined.

Objectives of the investigative committee

The committee is supposed to examine the intimidation of critics and investigate the suspicion that ÖVP representatives in the Interior and Justice Ministries as well as in the Chancellery exerted influence in an unobjective manner or for party political reasons. The investigation period extends from January 7, 2020 to May 20, 2023. The FPÖ sees itself in the position of applying for the U-Committee on its own and is sure that all constitutional requirements for this are met. This is also supported by [Kurier](https://kurier.at/politik/inland/darum-gehen-es-der-fpoe-im-u- committee-oevp-machtverkehrs/403043035).

One of the main topics of evidence is aimed at the cause of Christian Pilnacek's death and includes proceedings by the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor's Office (WKStA). The FPÖ suspects abuse of office, possible removal of evidence and falsification of investigation results. Other topics concern criticism of the government during the Corona measures, in particular the influence on meetings and the security police.

Preparation and first steps

FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker will lead the committee. National Council President Walter Rosenkranz is expected to play a central role as chairman of the committee. The first people to provide information include Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. An urgent request entitled “ÖVP abuse of power: state or party – which is your top priority, Mr. Chancellor?” is also being planned. It remains unclear whether the Chancellor will answer himself or be represented by State Secretary Alexander Pröll, as 5min states.

Within the scope of the powers of an investigative committee, it can request files and documents, question witnesses and, if they refuse to provide information, have them summoned. All federal, state and local bodies are obliged to cooperate when transmitting information. These procedures and the legal framework illustrate the importance of political control and transparency, which is essential in the intrigue of the political landscape, as parlament.gv.at explains.