The big interview

How bitter is this verdict, Mr. Kurz?

Sebastian Kurz, 15 hours after the guilty verdict, not legally binding(Bild: Klemens Groh)

15 hours after the historic, non-appealable verdict, Sebastian Kurz (37) talks to Conny Bischofberger about credibility and combativeness, Thomas Schmid and Vladimir Putin, the support of his friends and why it's "business as usual" for him until the next court hearing.  

The espresso machine is humming at the reception desk of SK Management GmbH in an elegant Wilhelminian-style building on Vienna's Ringstrasse. Four employees have come to keep their boss company for this morning's "Krone" interview. "I'm delighted," says Sebastian Kurz, greeting the video journalist, the photographer and me, "despite the circumstances". He looks the same as always, same jacket, same shirt. Just a touch more serious.

The "circumstances" are serious: an unprecedented conviction of a former Austrian head of government, the lawyers have already lodged an appeal. On the large glass table in front of us is the "Krone" Saturday edition. The headline reads "His bitterest hour" and is also the introduction to our hour-long interview.

Conny Bischofberger met Sebastian Kurz in his office for the first interview after the verdict.(Bild: Klemens Groh)

"Krone": Mr. Kurz, how did you sleep after the verdict on Friday and for how long?