Hafenecker expects Corona investigative committee to begin in spring

The hearings concern clarifying responsibilities in connection with the suspended head of department at the Interior Ministry, whose case has occupied domestic politics for years. The opposition FPÖ has long been pushing for a comprehensive investigation and sees the planned hearings as a crucial step toward achieving political accountability.

Hafenecker justified the sequence by citing parliamentary practice, under which investigative committees generally do not meet in parallel so as not to impair the National Council’s ability to work. Once the Pilnacek proceedings conclude in late autumn, the way would be clear for a new body.

Possible topics for questioning in the Corona committee

The FPÖ had already announced beforehand that, if a Corona investigative committee were established, it would scrutinize the matter closely. According to Hafenecker, the possible questioning would focus on decisions made during the lockdown periods, the procurement of protective masks, and the then-federal government’s communication with the public. The role of individual ministries is also to be examined.

For the ÖVP, which still held a majority in the National Council during the previous legislative term, the announced investigative committee represents an additional burden in an already tense political phase. Interior Minister Karner, who only took office after the end of the pandemic, would, as the current minister responsible for the portfolio, have to answer questions about his predecessor’s predecessor.

The planned shift to spring 2027 would place the start date in the middle of a period in which the National Council is already preparing for the upcoming legislative term. If the legislative period were to end early beforehand, however, Hafenecker’s entire schedule would be invalid.

Open questions about the further proceedings

The Pilnacek investigative committee itself was established after allegations against the former head of department at the Interior Ministry became known and is examining possible misconduct within his area of responsibility. According to Hafenecker, the autumn hearings are intended to clarify, among other things, which political officials were informed at the time of the relevant events.

It remains unclear whether other opposition parties will submit their own proposal to establish a Corona investigative committee or whether the FPÖ will table a proposal on its own. Hafenecker expressed confidence that the National Council would have a majority in favor of establishing the committee, but did not want to commit to a specific voting date.

Hafenecker has likewise so far commented only generally on possible witnesses for the Corona investigative committee. He expects that former government members from the pandemic period will be questioned, as will senior officials involved in the crisis task forces.

Domestic political observers interpret the announced timetable as a signal from the FPÖ that it intends to keep the issue of Corona on the political agenda. The party had called for a comprehensive review of the government’s decisions immediately after the end of the pandemic phase.

At the same time, Hafenecker emphasized that the work of the investigative committees must not be guided by day-to-day political considerations. The aim is to provide an objective and comprehensive explanation of the decision-making processes at the time, which is of central importance for democracy and for citizens’ trust in the state.