VIENNA — Villain or victim?
Former Austrian leader Sebastian Kurz, his political and personal future hanging in the balance, appeared in a courtroom here on Wednesday for the opening of what could be the first of multiple trials that will determine whether he was a corrupt manipulator as chancellor, as prosecutors allege, or the victim of overzealous state attorneys and political rivals intent on undermining him.
The Austrian’s fairytale rise from unknown youth leader into an international political star and chancellor at just 30 ended abruptly in October of 2021, when he was forced to resign amid accusations of corruption. Even so, Kurz’s success in leading the Austrian People’s Party to two commanding victories in 2017 and 2019 made the slick brand of right-wing populism he pioneered a model for stodgy centrist parties from Athens to Amsterdam and conservatives across Europe still try to follow his example.
Kurz faces criminal charges for allegedly giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee. Prosecutors also suspect him of misusing public funds to pay for doctored public opinion polls, though he has yet to be indicted in that case. The trial that began Wednesday concerns the false testimony accusation. Kurz denies any wrongdoing on both fronts.
“All in all, I’m optimistic,” he said on his way into court Wednesday morning. “I hope for a fair trial and that these accusations are proved to be false.”
In their opening arguments, corruption prosecutors painted Kurz as a shrewd operator who convinced the public he would transform Austria’s client politics even as he schemed behind the scenes to install his cronies in key positions across the government and corporate boards.
Two-faced Kurz?
Prosecutors allege that Kurz gave false testimony to parliament in 2020 when he was grilled by a special investigative committee about whether he played a role in selecting a new head for the state holding company, known as ÖBAG. Kurz insisted he hadn’t, but private text exchanges between the former chancellor, his aides and other associates that subsequently came to light suggested otherwise, according to the prosecution’s case.
Though it would have been well within Kurz’s purview as chancellor to influence the decision, prosecutors said the revelation would have been politically embarrassing, and alleged that he gave misleading evidence to cover it up.
Kurz’s involvement in hand-picking loyal allies for important posts “was diametrically opposed” to his public pledge for “a new style,” lead prosecutor Gregor Adamovic said. “Kurz wanted to avoid political damage to himself and his party.”
As the prosecutors laid out their case, Kurz, who wore his trademark dark suit and white shirt with no tie, sat with his arms folded at a table in the center of the vast courtroom facing the bench. He was flanked by his two co-defendants, Bernhard Bonelli, his former chief of staff, and Bettina Glatz-Kremsner, a former deputy chair of Kurz’s party, both of whom faced similar charges.
The imposing trial chamber, which dates to the late 19th century, was designed to evoke antiquity, with high, stuccoed ceilings, marble walls, doric columns and wreathed portrait busts.
It was, in other words, exactly the kind of dramatic setting Kurz is known to favor as a backdrop for his public appearances, replete with a massive media contingent. Despite the presence of nearly 100 journalists in the audience on Wednesday, Kurz was not basking in the limelight. He appeared nervous for much of the proceedings, feverishly scribbling notes and fidgeting with his well-groomed coif.
Spirited defense
Kurz’s lawyers offered a spirited rebuttal of the prosecutors’ claims in court on Wednesday, dismissing them as “fake,” insisting there was “no evidence” against Kurz and suggesting that Adamovic had manipulated witness testimony (he denied the claim).
The latter accusation prompted the presiding judge to enquire whether the defense was accusing the prosecution of malpractice, to which Kurz’s counsel responded he would leave it up to the court to make that determination.
The most dramatic turn in the trial came near the end of the day, when Kurz’s former deputy Glatz-Kremsner suddenly agreed to settle her case by acknowledging “mistakes” and paying a fine of about €100,000.
Kurz is expected to take the stand on Friday.
What effect, if any, Glatz-Kremsner’s move to settle will have on Kurz’s case wasn’t clear.
If convicted, Kurz could face up to three years in prison.
A conviction would complicate Kurz’s new career, which he told the court was as an “entrepreneur.” It would also likely dash any lingering hopes he may have for a future in politics.
Since his resignation as chancellor, he has worked as a consultant for Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel and started a cybersecurity firm in Israel with Shalev Hulio, who co-founded the company behind the Pegasus spy software.
In the run-up to his trial, a pair of documentary films that paint a favorable portrait of Kurz — one in German and another in English — appeared out of nowhere, fueling speculation in Austria that he is preparing a political comeback. Kurz has repeatedly denied any such plans.
If the first day of his trial was any indication, it may not be up to him.
