Austria
Prosecution calls for probation and a fine for ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz
Sebastian Kurz is on trial for making false statements. Now the public prosecutor has made his plea.
The fact that Kurz described his role as informed but not involved before the parliamentary committee in June 2020 was due to concerns about bad press, the senior public prosecutor continued. The now 37-year-old responded this way for PR-tactical reasons, “to avoid unwanted political and media criticism for obvious job haggling,” said Adamovic. A false statement is not a trivial offense, especially when a Federal Chancellor testifies before a parliamentary committee. Kurz did not live up to the role model function of politicians, said public prosecutor Roland Koch.
Judgment against Sebastian Kurz expected
Kurz, who was extremely popular at the time and denied the allegations, had promised the citizens a “new style” and thus signaled a farewell to widespread nepotism.
After the defense’s plea, the verdict is expected on Friday.