Graz financial affair

Carnival costumes for 450 euros charged as expenses

Mario Eustacchio: carnival fan and former FPÖ deputy mayor of Graz.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/FPÖ Graz, Christian Jauschowetz)

New details on the controversial expenses list of former Graz FPÖ politician Mario Eustacchio: he spent 450 euros on carnival costumes - from "disposable funds". The criticism is loud.

The "Steirerkrone" revelation about the swamp of expenses in which the former Graz FPÖ leader and current independent local councillor Mario Eustacchio is in danger of sinking caused a huge stir. As reported, the file of the Klagenfurt public prosecutor's office, which is now intensively investigating the financial affair, reveals remarkable settlements at the taxpayers' expense: Eustacchio is said to have financed a skiing vacation in Salzburg (1850 euros) and wines from "municipal funds".

But that's not all: the former deputy mayor's list of expenses also includes items such as "Wedding Kunasek, Eustacchio" (280 euros), "Hospitality, Eustacchio" (320 euros) or, particularly original, "Carnival costumes" for as much as 450 euros.

What other parties say
For the political competition, of course, this is a steep challenge. SPÖ Graz leader Doris Kampus calls for "complete clarification": "Public funds are taxpayers' money. The ball is now in the authorities' court if there are allegations about the use of these funds!"

NEOS parliamentary group leader Philipp Pointner, on the other hand, is calling for "full transparency": "This case shows us once again how urgently we need to monitor the use of public funds."

And KFG member Alexis Pascuttini holds Mayor Elke Kahr to account: "The city must reclaim the money from Eustacchio immediately. This does not require criminal proceedings to be concluded, but rather recourse to civil law."