“The leader is being “persecuted” in order to eat the faction that emerged as the first force in this year’s parliamentary elections” says the FPO
The Austrian parliament yesterday approved on Wednesday the lifting of the immunity of the leader of the far-right party FPÖ – which emerged as the first force in this year’s parliamentary elections in Austria, at the end of September – Herbert Kickl, at the request of the prosecution in order for the 56-year-old to be questioned for alleged perjury.
Herbert Kickle has been facing accusations of embezzlement of state funds since the spring: he allegedly paid to place advertisements in the media in order to secure favorable coverage in return.
The conservatives, the Social Democrats, the NEOS liberals and the Greens were all in favor, the Austrian national delegation summarized in a statement.
Only the Freedom Party (FPÖ) of Mr. Kikl voted against the request, arguing that his leader was being “persecuted” to destroy the faction.
Prosecutors specializing in corruption cases made the request in mid-November so they could continue their investigation into him. He allegedly committed perjury in April before a parliamentary committee tasked with investigating a case of misuse of public funds.
The Austrian parliament also approved the lifting of the immunity of three other FPÖ MPs, who in September attended the funeral of a former FPÖ MP, during which a Nazi song was played.
They are accused of violating a 1947 law that provides for criminal hell for anyone who attempts to re-establish the Nazi party, establish an organization with Nazi ideology, spread that ideology, or denies Nazi crimes against humanity, above all the Holocaust.
The case sparked an outcry and outraged reactions in the Alpine country shortly before the elections.
Nevertheless, the far-right party won the elections, an unprecedented event.
However, the victory did not open the door of the Austrian chancellery for him.
In the absence of allies to form a government, Herbert Kickle was excluded from the negotiations on the composition of the new government scheme. Right-wing chancellor Karl Niehammer is currently consulting with the Social Democrats and liberals.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
