Accusation was false

Sebastian Kurz would have clearly lost the “ZiB 2” bet

Sebastian Kurz (left) and Armin Wolf: paperwork in "ZiB 2"(Bild: Screenshot/ORF)

Sebastian Kurz had an exchange of blows with Armin Wolf in the "ZiB 2" interview about the statements that led to the guilty verdict. In the dispute over the exact wording, Kurz offered a bet, which the presenter did not accept. However, the former ÖVP chancellor would have clearly lost it.

The non-final judgment on Friday was based on statements made to the Ibiza U Committee in June 2020. When Wolf wanted to read from the transcript of the corresponding questioning, Kurz accused him of "incorrectly copying together" the transcript. "A thousand percent, Mr. Wolf, let's bet that it's wrong," the former chancellor asked the presenter several times and held out his hand for him to punch.

Bet not accepted
Wolf did not take the bet - which would have been a strange novelty during a television interview - but explained: "You're welcome to bet with me on that". Officially, however, he did not accept the bet and no wager was agreed.

In any case, the ORF journalist pointed out that he had only downloaded the paper from the parliamentary website shortly before the broadcast. In the ensuing banter, Kurz tried to talk his way out of it with "You have your perception, I have mine", which Wolf refused to accept. He in turn accused the former chancellor of having something "copied together" in front of him, which Kurz denied and thus conceded at the same time: "We have exactly the same thing apparently".

Sebastian Kurz (left) and Armin Wolf: paper chaos on "ZiB 2"(Bild: Screenshot/ORF)

"Should have bet after all"
Anyone can see for themselves what is actually in the stenographic minutes of June 24, 2020 by looking at the corresponding document on the parliament's website. Wolf pointed this out shortly after the broadcast. And said: "Maybe I should have bet after all" (see X-Post below).

When asked twice by NEOS MP Stephanie Krisper whether he had a general perception of the composition of the ÖBAG Supervisory Board and whether he was involved, Kurz only gave a general answer at the time (see below). The then Federal Chancellor also gave evasive answers to further questions about the appointment of Supervisory Board members.

This point in the transcript was the subject of heated discussion in the TV studio.(Bild: Screenshot/parlament.gv.at)

Judge: Kurz played down his role
Judge Michael Radasztics therefore explained the guilty verdict for Kurz on Friday by saying that the ÖVP politician had given the overall impression that he had essentially had nothing to do with it. However, statements in the evidentiary proceedings had painted a different picture. Kurz was acquitted on two other counts.