Resigned from office

VP politician allegedly queried tax files

The ÖVP politician is alleged to have illegally requested tax assessments (symbolic image).(Bild: stock.adobe.com - Stockfotos-MG)

An Upper Austrian ÖVP local politician and tax official is alleged to have accessed hundreds of tax assessments. Political opponents as well as party colleagues and family members were affected. The woman has since resigned from all offices.

In response to an APA inquiry on Monday, the district party in Ried im Innkreis stated that the woman had "already resigned from her position in the municipal party when the allegations arose" and was "withdrawing from the municipal council of her own free will".

The federal disciplinary authority came to the conclusion that the civil servant had committed a breach of official duty. The woman, who according to the ÖVP remains a "simple party member", must pay a fine of 2,800 euros. According to the "Kurier", the majority of the searches concerned family members - in some cases tens of searches were made per person - but also other people, including several fellow councillors.

FPÖ identifies "ÖVP scandal"
FPÖ Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz sees an "ÖVP scandal that was obviously intended to be covered up" and announced to the "Kurier" that he would be asking parliamentary questions of Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (both ÖVP) as well as Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens).