Allotment garden affair shows need for more transparency and control in local politics
Vienna (OTS) – Numerous scandals in recent months have shown that district politics is particularly susceptible to cronyism. In order to ensure higher standards of transparency, the Mariahilf Greens have called an extraordinary district council meeting on the topic. The allotment garden affair should also be discussed.
“For months, SPÖ district leader Markus Rumelhart has been persistently silent about the involvement of his deputy and party colleague Julia Lessacher in the allotment affair,” says Paul Stein, deputy district leader (Greens). Lessacher have a protocol According to the Breitenlee allotment garden association, it played an active role in negotiations with magistrates for a profitable rezoning. As a result, the properties of some SPÖ politicians – including Lessacher’s property – have increased massively in value. In the case of Donaustadt district leader Ernst Nevrivy (SPÖ) reports the Wiener Zeitung of an increase in value of at least 212,100 euros. No resignations followed the scandal.
The allotment garden affair, reports about decades of lack of rent increases in SPÖ party premises in municipal buildings or about an advertising scandal in a SPÖ-affiliated district newspaper show the need for more transparency and control in local politics. “A lack of transparency is a breeding ground for abuse of power and causes many to lose trust in political institutions,” said Stein.
In the special session, the Greens Mariahilf therefore want to ensure more transparency and control in local politics with a series of inquiries and motions. “In the past, the SPÖ Mariahilf has shown little enthusiasm for various transparency initiatives. All political groups that are genuinely concerned about transparency can now demonstrate this in the special session by agreeing to our proposals. We invite all parties to submit their own suggestions for more transparency in Mariahilf,” concluded Stein.
The extraordinary meeting must now be held within four weeks.
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