The ÖVP takes this as an opportunity to see the political opponent burdened with the affair. As can be seen from an interrogation protocol, the SPÖ is said to have circulated survey offers to the party academy. However, this should not have criminal relevance.
Beinschab revealed details of the orders by the SPÖ during an interrogation in early February. According to the pollster, there was an employment relationship between the federal party and Sophie Karmasin Market Intelligence GmbH and Karmasin Motivforschung GmbH from 2009 onwards. The cooperation ended with Karmasin’s commitment as a minister by the ÖVP. When questioned by investigators, Karmasin denied all of the crimes she was charged with.
Cooperation with free newspaper “Heute”
Karmasin’s former employee Beinschab stated in her statements that not only the ÖVP had influenced polls, but also the SPÖ in cooperation with the free newspaper “Heute”. The result of the Sunday and chancellor question was determined by the federal party – specifically via the then federal manager Laura Rudas. “If the result didn’t fit, it had to be changed,” said Beinschab to the WKStA.
The alleged transfer of costs to the party academy of the SPÖ, the Renner Institute, is said to have taken place before the National Council elections at the end of September 2013. As can be seen from Beinschab’s statement, on June 27 Karmasin made two offers of 57,169 euros each to the federal SPÖ. They are said to have been transferred to the Renner Institute on July 9th.
According to Beinschab, Karmasin was also said to have been commissioned to conduct party surveys under the governments led by the SPÖ. The first offer is said to have come from the then State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery, which was occupied by Werner Faymann, Josef Ostermayer. Title of the study: “New survey of politicians’ barometer and party preferences”. According to Beinschab’s statement, costs of 22,200 euros were set in the estimate.
“Distraction Maneuvers of an Accused”
“In contrast to the ÖVP, the SPÖ has always paid for its polls itself,” said the federal SPÖ about the allegations and continued: “These statements are a diversionary maneuver by an accused who is said to have doctored polls for the ÖVP at the expense of the taxpayer for years .”
When asked, the WKStA said that the facts described by Beinschab would of course be checked – as well as all other statements in such cases. According to reports, however, there should be no suspicions.
ÖVP demands clarification
The ÖVP demanded “complete” clarification of the “serious allegations”. General Secretary Laura Sachslehner described the SPÖ reaction, according to which it was a diversionary tactic, as “brazen” and saw party leader Pamela Renid-Wagner as having a duty to provide clarification.
Source: Nachrichten
