At the request of the Linz ÖVP, a “current lesson” on the LIVA scandal took place in today’s local council meeting. Specifically, it should be about the “abuse of power in the city of Linz and its companies”. Open questions were not clarified.
LINZ. The first local council meeting since Klaus Luger’s resignation began today with a topical lesson on the LIVA scandal, requested by the ÖVP. In his opening statement, VP Deputy Mayor Martin Hajart harshly criticized the SPÖ. “Nowadays the SPÖ only does politics for itself,” said Hajart. The “Luger system and SPÖ system” should continue to exist as usual. Finally, Hajart announced that he would resign from all mandates on the supervisory boards of municipal companies in order to ensure a “clear separation between city government responsibility and control.”
Hajart is resigning from all supervisory board mandates in municipal companies
SPÖ: There is no alternative to the holding structure
The chairmen of the local council factions now each have ten minutes to speak. SPÖ regional manager Florian Koppler spoke first on behalf of the SPÖ. He emphasized that the SPÖ is committed to a complete and transparent investigation into the LIVA scandal. As an example of this, he cited the appointment of the new, non-party chairman of LIVA’s supervisory board, ex-JKU rector Meinhard Lukas. He described the existing holding structure of the city of Linz as a solution with no alternative that works well. “In April 2017 there was a five-party application to establish the holding company,” recalls Koppler.
LIVA supervisory board elects Meinhard Lukas as new chairman
Prammer, as the new executive vice mayor, only briefly took the floor at the end and once again emphasized the SPÖ’s desire to clarify the matter.
Dietmar Prammer officially sworn in as deputy mayor
Greens want to upgrade the control office
Green City Councilor Eva Schobesberger used her speaking time to explain that it was now about regaining the trust of the people of Linz in politics. The existing holding structures must be examined. On Schobesberger’s initiative, there is also a joint proposal with the SPÖ, FPÖ and ÖVP. “The city control office does very good work and needs to be upgraded, similar to a city audit office,” emphasizes Schobesberger. In addition, control office reports should be publicly viewable in the future. Furthermore, Schobesberger advocates that in the holding company, owner representatives (note from the mayor of Linz) and the chairmanship of the supervisory board should not be held by one person – this was the case in LIVA – in order to prevent future abuse of power.
FPÖ wants to re-elect local council
FPÖ city councilor Michael Raml also sees this crisis as an opportunity for a new start in terms of political culture in the city. In his opinion, in addition to the mayoral election, the local council should also be re-elected. His group tabled a corresponding motion at the meeting. “Power needs control,” emphasizes Raml in relation to the holding structures of municipal companies. He therefore welcomed the solidarity of all parties to tackle the revision of the structures, power relationships and control rights in the Linz group of companies together with experts.
Neos: The current moment should not be an election campaign
Neos parliamentary group leader Georg Redlhammer opened his statement with a swipe at Hajart. Redlhammer told Hajart in a personal conversation about his intention to apply for a “current hour on the LIVA case”. “The ÖVP then requested this current hour a little later with the aim of opening the mayoral election campaign,” said Redlhammer. He sees this “current hour” more as an “act of political hygiene.” The common goal must be to prevent further damage to the city.
Next control committee on October 9th
As chairman of the control committee, he is interested in factual clarification within the legal framework. The next control committee will take place on October 9th. The local council, as the city’s most important control body, must also be able to exercise this function. As a reference to the already critical control office report on the Brucknerhaus from 2023, he recommends that the local council members take these reports seriously in the future.
KPÖ for the right to make inquiries to municipal companies
KPÖ parliamentary group leader Gerlinde Grünn also advocates for more transparency and demands that control office reports should be publicly accessible in the future. In addition, local councilors should also be able to make inquiries to municipal companies.
