Debate in the state parliament

27 inspectors for tens of thousands of leisure residences

There are currently more than 16,000 legal and presumably 10,000 illegal leisure residences in Tyrol - according to the latest figures from Liste Fritz.

(Bild: Birbaumer Christof)

It is Russians who have bought properties in Tyrol or German celebrities in million-dollar villas: The issue of leisure residences made waves in the provincial parliament. LHStv. Geisler has now presented the figures.

List Fritz club leader Markus Sint accused the state and also the municipalities of inactivity when it comes to illegal leisure residences. "Why don't they make sure that there are finally complete controls?", asked LA Sint to Josef Geisler from the ÖVP (Austrian People's Party), who is responsible for the matter. "There has always been a celebrity factor in Tyrol. This ensures that investigations are only carried out when we press charges."

We have proven that we make use of all legal possibilities, but there are certain barriers, for example the freedom of capital in the EU.

LHStv Josef Geisler

Sint was "throwing smoke and mirrors", countered Geisler. In the case of the former German professional footballer Bierhoff, it was a legal leisure residence: "So he is not a culprit." He is currently developing vacation apartments in his building. Any European can buy a property. Sint is trying to twist things around. Tyrol has a dense network of laws, emphasized Geisler. "We have proven that we make use of all legal possibilities, but there are certain barriers, for example the freedom of capital in the EU." The Land Transfer Act of 1996 has been amended 20 times. "It is not the law that is to blame, but those who abuse the law," emphasized Geisler.

Municipal administration moans about tasks
It was a "disrespectful and tendentious claim" by Sint that the mayors were inactive, criticized the mayor of Lienz, SP-LA Elisabeth Blank. Because the rule of law offers the possibility of appeal, "every single recreational residence is a challenge for the administration", said Blanik and enquired about the balance of the priority controls in the Achental valley: "The municipality of Eben has initiated 50 proceedings, 18 have been legally concluded and a further 35 cases are being processed", reported Geisler. The municipalities receive 80% of the fines.

Neos: Russian transactions still unresolved
The state has created the legal framework and the municipalities have a lot at their disposal. "What is the feedback from the mayors? Are the instruments sufficient?", LA Dominik Mainusch (BM Fügen) wanted to know. Municipal associations carry out the tasks, the state offers training courses for supervisory bodies, "27 are currently on the road in the state, 15 in training, 126 criminal proceedings are pending," Geisler said, citing current figures.

However, there are indeed cases that can be questioned. In any case, these things have now been stopped.

LHStv Josef Geisler

Neos leader Dominik Oberhofer criticized that Russians from Putin's closest network had been able to access properties in Tyrol unhindered. Although public interest would have to be proven in a strict official procedure, Oberhofer is surprised. "Where is this?" asked the Neos leader, criticizing the fact that inquiries about 23 Russian transactions have still not been answered.

The state government's actions and words do not match. Why have they been preventing a task force for four years if control is so important to them?

Markus Sint, Klubobmann Liste Fritz

Geisler outlined the circumventing transactions: "Russian companies have become EU citizens in order to benefit from the freedom of capital." The loophole has now been closed at EU level. "But there are indeed cases that can be questioned. In any case, these things have now been stopped."

Supervisory bodies almost like the required task force
Geisler is "one big fog bank", said Sint: "The actions and words of the state government don't match. Why have they been preventing a task force for four years if oversight is so important to them? There needs to be a 'sharp action' against the sell-out of Tyrol and against illegal leisure residences."