Former comrade-in-arms unpacks: Serious allegations against ex-Chancellor Kurz

The statements of one of his closest comrades-in-arms put Austria’s ex-Chancellor Kurz under pressure. Former Secretary of State Schmid testified that Kurz had commissioned him to circulate embellished surveys.

Thomas Schmid is known for one thing in particular: his chat messages with Austria’s ex-Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. As has now become known, the former State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance has testified extensively to the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in recent weeks.

The WKStA is leading the investigations into the now extensive affair, which Schmid’s statements are now attracting public attention again. Numerous media quoted passages from Schmid’s statements to the WKStA, such as the ORF: “We did things that weren’t right. It made me rethink that my mother said we didn’t raise you like that. If you do something wrong, then own up to it, with all the consequences.”

Is Schmid hoping for a lighter sentence?

Another motive could be Schmid’s desire to be listed as a key witness in future proceedings and thus have his own sentence significantly reduced. According to the WKStA, Schmid approached the investigators with this request in April. He has not yet submitted an application.

Whether his statements would ultimately be enough for the recognition of leniency status is an open question. The former government partner FPÖ spoke out against it after Schmid’s statements became known. MP Christian Hafenecker said: “In my view, he is not a ‘minor offender’ but was part of this system. Which is why he should not be rewarded with leniency status.”

“Get the order from Kurz”

However, the decision on this lies with the public prosecutor’s office, provided that Schmid makes the application. In any case, it is clear that he apparently does not want to be the sole culprit. For example, in the advertisement affair, in which the daily newspaper Österreich published fake surveys. In return, the Ministry of Finance, where Schmid was State Secretary, placed advertisements.

According to Schmid, the instrument for creating the marked surveys was created at the behest of Sebastian Kurz. Another excerpt from his statements: “It is very important for me to emphasize that I only implemented this tool because I received the order from Kurz.”

So Schmid puts a direct burden on Sebastian Kurz. About a year ago, he is said to have asked him to take all the blame. It doesn’t look like that.

It all started with the Ibiza video

The background to the investigation complex is the notorious Ibiza video. The video not only led to the end of the ÖVP-FPÖ government, but also called into question the appointments at Casinos Austria; a gambling company that is one-third owned by the Austrian state.

In the course of the investigation, a house search was conducted at Schmid’s home, then head of the state holding company ÖBAG. Schmid’s mobile phone was confiscated during this house search, and the chat messages were then restored.

The various strands of investigation after the Ibiza video were all summarized in the so-called CASAG (Casinos Austria AG) procedure. In this context, the WKStA is investigating around 45 suspects on suspicion of infidelity, false testimony, abuse of official authority, corruption, bribery and violation of official secrecy in various forms of participation.