ÖVP General Secretary Christian Stocker appeared before the press at short notice on Tuesday evening. He appeared disappointed and “speechless” about the publication of secretly recorded conversations of Christian Pilnacek, the late former section head of the Ministry of Justice, a few months ago. “The background of this tape is reminiscent of Stasi methods and the KGB. These backgrounds should be made clear. Stocker said, “Who recorded this, who is behind this?”
The secret tape editing was done under “suspicious circumstances”. The General Secretary of the People’s Party recalled unknown data thefts from the People’s Party in the past, for example through cyber attacks.
Noting the numerous complaints against the ÖVP, which have so far been unsuccessful, Stöcker sees the SP and the FPO in particular as being behind this campaign. “All the allegations so far have burst like a soap bubble.”
In the long run, the original sound recording, which lasts about a quarter of an hour, is irrelevant. You can hear a German and another Agent Provocateur apparently setting a trap for a slightly intoxicated Pilnacek – but this is only made public after his death. Nothing relevant is heard. The public pounces after three minutes.
On the one hand, Christian Pilnacek complains about the lack of support from the People’s Party: “When I said, are you also doing something to support me? The answer came: You were not with us at all. The second thing is that he said, you never allowed our house to be searched. This is what they think.”
National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka is mentioned, as well as former Justice Minister Beatrix Karl. He spoke confidentially to Pilnasek about the telecom matter. Pilnasek replied: “I can’t do anything. I am also not doing anything. Everything is illegal. I can’t stand it.” Otherwise, “OVP ministers” are mentioned; they are said to have asked Pilnacek about the house searches and why he didn’t shut them down. He always said, “I Can’t do it, I won’t do it, I don’t want to do it.”
Pilnacek himself can no longer comment on the publication of the original sound recording in which he is drunk and can no longer defend himself against it. The People’s Party speaks of a “decline in political culture”. Christian Stocker says: “The shadow of the election campaign is looming. Even the memory of a dead person is misused through tape. It is believed that Pilnacek’s personality will be used to bring about political change.
This matter has long been clarified: “There was no influence or obstruction by ÖVP in the judicial proceedings. There was no discussion about this, including any procedural-related discussion.”
Stocker reminds: “Pilnasek has already commented on all this in the Investigative Committee. There was no interference in judicial investigation. That’s the guideline.” National Council President Sobotka also strongly rejected all allegations, which was also confirmed by Christian Pilnecek – during his lifetime.
Stocker also mentioned political consultant Stephan Petzner, who said a year ago: “Wolfgang Sobotka has a lot coming in. He will not survive this legislative term.” Now we must find out who is behind this attack, demands Christian Stocker.
