A former top aide testified Monday that Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) officials pressured him to help secure a position for a party member at a tax office, as a trial involving allegations of abuse of power continues in Linz. The case centers on accusations that ÖVP officials improperly influenced the appointment of a party member to lead the Braunau am Inn tax office.
Thomas Schmid, a former Finance Ministry Secretary General who has become a key witness in the case, testified that ÖVP Club Chairman August Wöginger requested his assistance in the matter. Schmid stated he then delegated the task to a member of the selection committee. The allegations involve the appointment of an ÖVP mayor to a leadership position at the Braunau tax office in 2017.
Witness Recounts Earlier Application
A retired finance official testified Tuesday, recounting her experience on a different selection committee. The witness, identified as Frau G., served on numerous selection committees but not the one for the Braunau tax office. However, she had been part of the committee that considered a candidate for the Freistadt tax office – the same mayor later applied for the Braunau position but was not selected.
The witness gave the candidate a lower rating than other committee members, who she said justified their more positive assessment by citing his experience as a mayor. She disagreed with that reasoning, stating, “In my view, it’s a completely different job.” She added that other members adjusted their scores to align more closely with her opinion.
Witness Questioned About Committee Removal
The witness stated she was surprised when she was not included on the committee for the Braunau position, noting it was standard practice for her to be appointed. Whereas she had been on vacation for a couple of weeks prior, she said this wouldn’t have been an issue. “I was at work on the day of the meeting. It took place just a few doors down.” The ÖVP mayor ultimately secured the position.
“The Party Stands Behind Me”
The mayor reportedly asked Wöginger for assistance with his application. Wöginger, who is not a defendant in the case, claims he simply forwarded the “citizen’s concern” to Schmid for review and did not exert any influence. Schmid, however, described the situation as a party-political request he was expected to fulfill. He testified that he contacted a member of the selection committee and asked them to “take care of it.” That committee member confirmed the intervention but denied acting on it.
The chairman of the selection committee at the time is as well a defendant in the case. He is accused of favoring the mayor due to his party affiliation. The phrase “The party stands behind me” was reportedly used by him on multiple occasions. The witness confirmed Tuesday that she heard the phrase in a professional context. “The sentence was used more often over the years,” and “to support the argument when there were no other arguments.” This also affected personnel matters, but to her knowledge, it did not occur during hearings.
The trial will continue on March 17 with further witness testimony. A verdict is scheduled for April 21.
