Setback for the Greens

Former Chancellor Gusenbauer gives up on the U-committee

Former Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

The parliamentary COFAG-U committee will have to do without Alfred Gusenbauer (SPÖ) for the time being. The former Federal Chancellor and former Signa Supervisory Board member had been invited to give evidence on April 25 at the request of the Greens.

It was confirmed to the "Krone" newspaper on Wednesday that the former chancellor had canceled for that day.

It is unlikely that he will be invited again: As planned, the last two days of questioning will take place on April 24 and 25. 

"Gusenbauer has pumped in a lot"
Gusenbauer had "pumped a lot of money into Rene Benko's production of castles in the air", said Nina Tomaselli from the Green Party, explaining her group's request. They want to question him as a "player in Benko's shell game" about tax structures, Benko's luxury life financed by the Signa holding company and also about Gusenbauer's fees. According to Tomaselli, those who take part must also take responsibility, which Gusenbauer has so far vehemently denied.