COFAG-U committee

“Shell game”: Greens rant ahead of Benko appearance

Nina Tomaselli

(Bild: APA Pool/APA/GEORG HOCHMUTH)

Even before the upcoming and eagerly awaited questioning of the fallen real estate juggler Rene Benko, the Greens have taken stock of the COFAG-U committee. At a press conference on Monday, parliamentary group leader Nina Tomaselli proposed a package of measures to be adopted before the end of this legislative period. She also took the coalition partner ÖVP to task, which after all provides the finance minister and has looked the other way for a long time. 

Benko has already turned down three invitations to the COFAG committee of inquiry, but according to his lawyer, he now actually wants to come on May 22. For the Greens, however, this is no reason to wait and see. Tomaselli therefore wants measures to be taken now "so that the next shell game is not up to mischief again in a few years' time". In any case, time is pressing. The Green politician wants to hold talks with all parties, but above all with the ÖVP, as the current legislative period will not last much longer.

Greens want penalties for balance sheet delays
Specifically, the Greens are calling for severe penalties for the non-submission of balance sheets of up to five percent of global turnover and a consolidation obligation for all affiliated companies instead of "sham constructions" by small limited liability companies. Another point in the package includes binding lending guidelines for commercial real estate. Furthermore, advisors - such as Alfred Gusenbauer - should not accept supervisory board mandates and should generally be held more accountable.

Alfred Gusenbauer and Rene Benko

(Bild: Karl Schöndorfer TOPPRESS Austria)

According to Tomaselli, stricter tax regulations should apply to luxury properties in future. For example, stricter obligations to prove that it is really an entrepreneurial activity are needed. Asset outflows to foundation havens such as Liechtenstein and Luxembourg should also be prevented. One possibility would be a European asset register. Last but not least, the Greens are calling for the financial administration to be better equipped.

"If you do nothing, you share responsibility"
Tomaselli was particularly critical of the ÖVP-led Ministry of Finance, which should actually serve to protect taxpayers. However, she sees a "consistent looking the other way" that is still continuing. It should not just be a matter of soapbox speeches against the system that made the Signa case possible. Tomaselli: "If you do nothing, you share responsibility."