VIENNA, May 18 -- Austrian Vice-Chancellor and leader of the right-wing populist Freedom Party Heinz-Christian Strache on Saturday declared his resignation over a scandal in which he appears on video offering government contracts in exchange for political support.
At a press conference here on Saturday morning, Strache said he would step down from all political roles.
Transport Minister Norbert Hofer will take over the leadership of Freedom Party, he said.
The secretly-filmed footage was first revealed by German news outlets the Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Der Spiegel on Friday, showing Strache and his long-time party colleague and MP Johann Gudenus speaking to individuals purportedly representing a Russian oligarch.
In the more than seven hours of footage, a woman posing as the niece of the billionaire oligarch expresses a wish to purchase Austria's most-read daily newspaper the Kronen Zeitung, and use it to provide political support to Strache's Freedom Party.
Strache in turn states that many possibilities would be made available if this were to occur, such as the provision of construction contracts.
The informal meeting took place on the resort island of Ibiza in 2017, shortly before the federal election that year.
Despite Strache and his party insisting that no funds exchanged hands and that it was clearly expressed that laws and regulations would have to be followed, local media reported on murmurs from within political circles that Strache's position is untenable and his resignation inevitable.
Flanked by other ministers from the Freedom Party on Saturday, Strache told media that he had been victim of a targeted campaign.
He said the secret nature of the filming was illegal, and his behaviour was induced by alcohol consumption.
In addition he never offered or received anything illegal, and said he would fight the allegations with all legal means available.
He nonetheless apologized for the incident, including to Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, as well as to his wife Philippa.
MP Johann Gudenus, who also was present in the footage, has also resigned from politics.
体坛英语资讯:Kenyan athletic chiefs accuse minister of interfering with athletes
如何在工作中应对精神创伤
国内英语资讯:China makes headway in fighting pollution: minister
体坛英语资讯:Real, Valencia both win in Saturdays La Liga
报告称:地雷使用罕见但仍造成大量伤亡
这些科学方法可以有效改善记忆力!
国际英语资讯:Macron reaffirms disagreement with U.S. Jerusalem decision
国外掀起新的咖啡"健康喝法"
体坛英语资讯:Peru U18 captain Saravia joins Brazils Gremio on loan
抢先看!2018年度色彩如此神秘又高科技
研究表明 健康行为也会像疾病一样传染
给快递员的小小温暖
国际英语资讯:Saudi Arabia replaces foreign, transport ministers
国内英语资讯:Over 1.1 mln people sit Chinas civil servant exam
国际英语资讯:Pakistani PM directs establishment of special economic zones under CPEC
星巴克咖啡师试图赶走付过钱的流浪汉
体坛英语资讯:Easy win for Real Madrid over a disappointing Sevilla
民主党人琼斯在阿拉巴马州参议员选举中获胜
国内英语资讯:China asks WTO members to safeguard multilateral trade
体坛英语资讯:OSullivan, Murphy to fight for UK Championship title
2017年12月英语四级作文万能模板:提出最终建议
2017年12月大学英语四级作文预测(上篇):各类通知的写法
安吉丽娜•朱莉为女权发声!字字铿将、言简意赅
国际英语资讯:Chinese ambassador says relations with Zambia standing at new starting point
为什么短裤和长裤一样贵?
国际英语资讯:Russian Defense Ministry denies taking credit for IS defeat
I Love My Country 我爱我的祖国
LV母公司投资了一个新潮流品牌,关注心理健康
重磅!《权游》完结季将于2019年回归
体坛英语资讯:Athletes of U.S., Armenia win golds of total at weightlifting worlds
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |