They called him a child prodigy – Sebastian Kurz, who became Austrian chancellor at 31, showed European conservatives how to win elections, pursue extreme right-wing politics and still remain a handshake. His signature recipe is populism with Viennese charm and within the bounds of what is permitted. Flavored with government xenophobia and the slightest bit of leftist prowess, this recipe allowed Kurtz to remain a benchmark role model, enjoying an almost magical success with voters.
And now the glossy facade of Sebastian Kurtz was covered with deep cracks. The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA) accused him of bribery, corruption and breach of trust.
Gilding from Kurtz has flown around?
Behind this diabolical triad of political uncleanliness, perhaps, there is also a crime that can finally destroy the myth of the impeccable Kurz: they say that the ex-chancellor, when he was a minister, manipulated the results of polls, inflated his results and paid the tabloid press for their publication.
Barbara Wesel
So when, during the years of Kurz’s unstoppable rise, headlines appeared in the media describing him as the most popular candidate for chancellor of all time, it is possible that his loyal supporters were juggling the numbers. And the whole scam was financed with taxpayer money, the prosecution claims. Communication with the media was based on the principle: who pays, calls the tune. The newspapers carried expensive advertisements for state-owned companies, and the chancellor’s office, in turn, posted jubilant reports on the high rating of the head of government there.
Now it turns out that the shining star of Austrian politics has also emerged with the help of unseemly and illegal means. Sebastian Kurtz polished his image, developed a complex system of state propaganda, undermined press freedom and passed off the data imposed on the Austrians by his PR department as the will of the people.
Drain the corruption swamp in Austria a bit
Those who are now calling for the draining of the corruption swamp in Austria are, in fact, ridiculous. The “nepotism” economy has a long tradition in this country, and the post-war history of Austria is marked by an endless series of scandals. There were scandals related to banks, casinos, construction companies and the purchase of weapons, but in all cases it was about personal enrichment and dubious money transactions between representatives of politics and business.
As the latter, the details of the resonant scandal, dubbed “Ibiza Gate”, became public knowledge. The populist right-wing Austrian Freedom Party (APS), mixed in it – Chancellor Kurz’s problematic partner in the previous government coalition – appeared in this scandal as such a mafia and morally bankrupt organization that even its voters turned away from it.
Disregard for law and decency
The outskirts of Vienna are mired in a viscous swamp. And the rubber boots of those who are trying to pull themselves out of this quagmire creak with tension, and those who watch these manifestations of corruption and favoritism are sneering. At the same time, constant disregard for the law and decency undermines the very foundations of the state and citizens’ faith in politics, which should be something more than a self-service store.
There will always be shaky places in this political swamp. But shouldn’t the opposition in Austria try to suppress manifestations of systematic corruption at least in some areas? Now, for example, she is demanding the adoption of a new law on the media, which will put an end to the bad habit of corrupting the media through advertising. By following this example, much can be done in the banking and public procurement sectors.
Time for something new in Austria
Sebastian Kurz came to power in 2017 with the slogan “Time for something new.” However, if the evidence of the prosecutor’s office is confirmed, it turns out that he only represented the old corruption in a new guise. Realizing the consequences of what was happening and deciding to leave the post of prime minister, he, at least, showed some decency – although at first, with an air of offended innocence, he said that he was not going to resign. But Kurz continues to deny allegations of corruption against him.
Austria needs something like a Clean Hands initiative that will clean up Vienna’s Augean stables at least once every few years. At least the country still has bold prosecutors who are investigating “regardless of faces.” They can form the basis for the political renewal that many Austrian citizens have long awaited. Sebastian Kurtz, as a political wizard, has lost his magic, on closer inspection, is the naked king.
By Barbara Wesel, DW Columnist
The commentary expresses the personal opinion of the author. It may not coincide with the opinion of the Russian editorial staff and Deutsche Welle in general.
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