FPÖ Criticizes Interior Minister Over Response Delays

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has expressed strong criticism of Interior Minister Gerhard Karner regarding his recent statements about the delays in responding to parliamentary inquiries. FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker has accused Karner of neglecting his responsibilities and shifting his workload onto police officers, while receiving a substantial salary of EUR19,000 per month. The criticism centers on claims that Karner is failing to adequately address issues related to illegal immigration and public safety.

Hafenecker stated that Karner's inability to provide timely information on crucial topics, such as police operations in asylum facilities and the rise of extremism and drug-related crimes, signifies a lack of competence in his role. According to Hafenecker, the minister's reluctance to confront these issues directly reflects a broader failure to maintain security and safety within the country.

Furthermore, Hafenecker highlighted the ongoing concerns regarding an increase in violent crime, including knife attacks and sexual assaults, attributing these to what he perceives as Karner's inadequate management of the ministry. He argued that if Karner needs excessive time to answer inquiries--claims of up to thirty hours for a single response--it indicates a preference for evasion and concealment rather than transparency and accountability.

The FPÖ has announced plans to legally scrutinize both Karner's delegation of work to police and the alleged waste of public funds involved in handling parliamentary inquiries. Hafenecker emphasized that any effort by Karner to undermine parliamentary oversight with dubious arguments not only jeopardizes the public's right to transparency but also disqualifies him from holding a ministerial position.

He urged that the citizens of Austria deserve a minister who actively addresses their concerns, particularly regarding illegal immigration and internal security. Hafenecker concluded that the ideal scenario would be Karner's resignation, suggesting that it would signal a positive shift in the Interior Ministry's approach to governance and public safety.