Trouble in Austria: Public prosecutors are investigating several former cabinet ministers on suspicion of corruption. A shadow has fallen on the current government, as well. Chancellor Werner Faymann is suspected of having bought positive media reports when he was Transportation Minister -- at the taxpayers' expense. But things look like they were much worse in the era of his predecessor as Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel. Whether in the privatization of public housing or the granting of commissions for a new police radio network, politicians sold their influence to lobbyists. The public is enraged, but quarrelling among Vienna's parties may prevent a complete investigation of the scandals.
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Chancellor Werner Faymann is suspected of having bought positive media reports when he was Transportation Minister -- at the taxpayers' expense. But things look like they were much worse in the era of his predecessor as Chancellor, Wolfgang Schüssel. Whether in the privatization of public housing or the granting of commissions for a new police radio network, politicians sold their influence to lobbyists. The public is enraged, but quarrelling among Vienna's parties may prevent a complete investigation of the scandals.