Austria’s former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been cleared of a suspended prison sentence for allegedly giving false testimony during a parliamentary inquiry. The Higher Regional Court in Vienna overturned the earlier conviction on Monday, ending years of legal proceedings against Kurz. The case concerned his 2020 testimony about the state holding company OeBAG and the appointment of Thomas Schmid, a close ally, to its leadership. Kurz had originally received an eight-month suspended sentence but maintained his innocence throughout.
Kurz, who is now 38, emphasized after the ruling that he did not provide false information during the inquiry. He said he plans to focus on spending more time with his family, including his two young children. This trial was the first in over 30 years involving a former Austrian chancellor facing criminal charges.
The controversy stemmed from Kurz’s statements about the nomination process for members of OeBAG’s supervisory board. The initial conviction found Kurz guilty of giving false testimony about his role, but the appeal court overturned this decision. The parliamentary inquiry sought to investigate whether Kurz and his administration improperly influenced the appointments for political reasons.
While Kurz was acquitted, the court upheld the conviction of his former chief of staff, Bernhard Bonelli. Bonelli was given a six-month suspended sentence last year for providing false information related to the nominations at OeBAG. Kurz expressed regret about the outcome for Bonelli.
Sebastian Kurz quickly rose in Austrian politics, leading the conservative People’s Party to a coalition with the far-right Freedom Party in 2017. The coalition collapsed in 2019, and Kurz resigned in 2021 amid increasing legal and political challenges. Despite his resignation, the People’s Party remains a key player in Austria’s government under Chancellor Christian Stocker. In the most recent election held in September, the party came in second place.
The court’s decision to clear Kurz may have implications for Austria’s political scene. It ends a significant legal chapter for the former chancellor but also raises questions about political accountability and transparency. The case has drawn attention to how state-owned companies are managed and the need for clear oversight of political appointments.
