Austrian Finance Minister Gernot Bluemel prepares to make a statement at the Finance Ministry in Vienna, Austria, February 11 2021. REUTERS/LISI NIESNER
Earlier on Thursday Bluemel issued a statement saying his home had been raided and that his conservative People’s Party had not accepted donations from slot-machine maker Novomatic, a company that is being investigated in relation to other corruption allegations. After Bluemel mentioned Novomatic by name, the prosecutors said they suspect a manager at an unnamed gambling company offered to donate money to an unspecified political party in exchange for Austrian officials’ help with a potential tax claim against it abroad.
“Austrian companies’ demands abroad are presented to politicians daily and are perfectly normal if they involve securing Austrian jobs," Bluemel said.
This is what taking decisive action against corruption looks like. No committee to ensure endless debate and little action. No commissions that are blatantly ignored. No tea parties. Just action.