Kurz corruption probe

On 6 October 2021, Austrian anti-corruption prosecutors conducted a raid on the offices of Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, the headquarters of the Austrian People's Party, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.[1] Kurz, along with nine high-profile politicians and newspaper executives, has been accused of embezzlement and bribery.[1] According to the prosecutors, public money has been misused to fund politically motivated and occasionally manipulated opinion polls, with the funding being conduited through advertisements in the Österreich newspaper on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Finance.[2]

As a result of the raid, Kurz has sustained heavy criticism from his junior coalition partner, The Greens – The Green Alternative, as well as the opposition. Greens leader Werner Kogler described Kurz as "no longer able to hold office", and demanded the People's Party nominate a chancellor with a clean record.[3]

On 9 October 2021, Kurz announced his resignation,[4] with Alexander Schallenberg to serve as his replacement.[5] As a result of the resignation, Kogler announced his intention to continue the governing coalition.[5]

References
  1. "Mehrere Razzien: Kurz werden Untreue und Beihilfe zur Bestechlichkeit vorgeworfen". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  2. "ÖVP-Ermittlungen: "Call me Mr Umfrage :-))"". kurier.at (in German). 7 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  3. "Grüne verlangen "untadelige Person" anstelle von Kurz". Die Presse (in German). 8 October 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  4. Murphy, Francois (10 October 2021). "Austria's Kurz steps down over corruption probe to save coalition". Reuters. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  5. "Sebastian Kurz "macht Platz" und zieht sich als Kanzler zurück". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 9 October 2021.
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