Stink in the local council

Now things have “snuggled up” in Oberwart

There is currently a bad atmosphere in Oberwart town hall.(Bild: P. Huber)

The SPÖ wants to disclose business relationships between elected representatives and municipal employees. In return, the ÖVP reports the chairwoman of the audit committee to the supervisory authority.  

It felt like minus 10 degrees in the room where the municipal council's audit committee met on Wednesday. It was the first meeting since December last year. And the first in which the grand coalition cuddle course came to an end. The SPÖ and ÖVP are now fighting harder.

SPÖ accuses ÖVP of being a stranger
According to the SPÖ, this was preceded by criticism from the population, according to which the unethical behavior of ÖVP functionaries and high-ranking municipal employees had reached a level that cast a bad light on all municipal officials. There was even talk of turnover in the region of 100,000 euros that the people in question earn per year through business with the city. However, specific accusations against these individuals will not be made public.

Disclosure of business relationships a topic for the audit committee
Instead, the "secret" audit committee wants to shed light on the matter. The SPÖ has requested an audit of the business relationships between the members of the city and municipal councils, senior employees of the municipal office and municipal companies with the city, in which the listed persons are directly or indirectly involved or are active in management and decision-making positions. The audit report will also be discussed - anonymously - at the municipal council meeting.

Deadlines not met: ÖVP denounces chairwoman of the audit committee
Meanwhile, the ÖVP has launched a counter-attack and reported the chairwoman of the audit committee, Katja Massing, to the municipal supervisory authority. The reason: deadlines not met and minutes not submitted for up to 5 months.

SPÖ suspects an act of revenge behind the complaint
The SPÖ suspects an act of revenge behind this because the relationship between Massing and the city leadership has not been the best since her dismissal as head of office 5 years ago.