FPÖ justifies itself

Fuss about Kickl: 5 luxury writing instruments for 908 euros

FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl's time as interior minister catches up with him once again

(Bild: APA/Tobias Steinmaurer)

The parliamentary sub-committees are already casting their shadows ahead: "heute" and "Kurier" quoted from leaked files which show that FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl invested in expensive pens during his time as Interior Minister. Specifically, it is said to involve four rhodium-plated pens costing a total of almost 900 euros. According to the FPÖ, these pens were designed as (return) gifts for high-ranking interlocutors.

According to "Kurier", Kickl ordered a total of four rhodium-plated ballpoint pens. For two of the pens, the Ministry of the Interior also ordered an engraving for 35 euros per pen (inscription: "Line 1: Federal Minister of the Interior, line 2: Herbert Kickl."). That makes a total of 803 euros.

Fountain pens also ordered for 105 euros
In addition to the ballpoint pens, a fountain pen with 23-carat gold fittings was also ordered for 105 euros in 2018, according to the files. The inquiry committees themselves will start on March 6 (COFAG inquiry committee) and March 13 (red-blue abuse of power inquiry committee). The total bill therefore amounts to 908 euros.

FPÖ justifies itself
The FPÖ said in a statement that these pens were "designed as (return) gifts for high-ranking interlocutors". It is customary "for gifts to be exchanged during talks and appointments, for example at ministerial level or with other high-ranking representatives". Not providing (return) gifts would be contrary to all etiquette and politeness. "Ballpoint pens were procured for this purpose."

It is customary for gifts to be exchanged during meetings and appointments, for example at ministerial level or with other high-ranking representatives.

Erklärung der FPÖ

These were "appropriate and yet comparatively inexpensive (return) gifts for such occasions", which meant that taxpayers' money was used sparingly. "We would strongly advise you to ask the current members of the federal government what (counter) gifts they tend to offer and at what cost," the FPÖ said. Due to the large number of appointments in connection with the EU Council Presidency alone, it was no longer possible "with the best will in the world" to ascertain which official guests were presented with these gifts.

At the same time, the FPÖ emphasized that the party leader himself relies on inexpensive writing materials: "Herbert Kickl writes with BIC ballpoint pens, which a look at various photo archives will undoubtedly show." And not a single one of the pens mentioned in the files is in his possession.