VIENNA. The political scientist and corruption expert Hubert Sickinger classifies the information available about the order of a house search at the ÖVP as “extremely cynical” and a rare case of advertising corruption, in which there is also evidence. The fact that the tabloid media were often preferred when placing advertisements, also in order to achieve positive reporting, is unfortunately nothing new, says Sickinger. “But commissioning a ministry to conduct a survey that has nothing to do with the ministry, so that an inner-party wing asserts its interests, that is obviously infidelity”, so the clear assessment of Sickinger.
One to ten years imprisonment
It will now be interesting to see which circles the allegations draw, because: “Anyone who contributes to these acts, is just as punishable as those who implement them.” The penalty for infidelity and bribery is between one and ten years imprisonment for a conviction. This also applies to those who “favor the act or designate someone to do so”: “In short, it is clearly the beneficiary,” says Sickinger.
He sees the necessity of the anti-corruption referendum underlined once again: “In it we are clearly calling for an end to advertising corruption.” Although the matter was a “super-GAU” for the ÖVP, the party had built ahead, so Sickinger: “The WKStA has been accused of a lot of what is factual and not fair. Because a public prosecutor is not allowed to speak about an ongoing procedure and can’t defend himself like that. ” (eiba)
