European Commission Follows 'in Disbelief' Scandal With Austria's FPO Leader - Spokesman

The European Commission is following "in disbelief" the scandal around former Austrian Vice-Chancellor and leader of the Freedom Party (FPO) Heinz-Christian Strache, Chief Spokesman for the European Commission Margaritis Schinas said Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th May, 2019) The European Commission is following "in disbelief" the scandal around former Austrian Vice-Chancellor and leader of the Freedom Party (FPO) Heinz-Christian Strache, Chief Spokesman for the European Commission Margaritis Schinas said Monday.

On Friday, some of the major German media reported, citing a video recording made during a July 2017 meeting in Ibiza, Spain, that an alleged niece of a Russian oligarch offered Strache to give FPO money and help them with press support, while Strache reportedly offered the woman government construction contracts in return.

As a result of the scandal, Strache resigned as the vice-chancellor and the leader of FPO.

"Indeed, we followed in disbelief as a leader of a political party was seen negotiating access to media and institutions in exchange for funds from external benefactors who clearly do not have Europeans' best interests at heart. We do not feel that a comment from our side would be necessary," Schinas told reporters, when asked about Strache.

The video surfaced slightly more than a week ahead of the European Parliament elections.