Investigating accusations is not irreverent

In Austria files have come to light that allegedly prove that former mayor of Vienna Helmut Zilk worked for the Czechoslovakian secret service between 1965 and 1969. The conservative daily Die Presse comments on the case: "To be sure, Zilk is a plaster saint of Austrian internal politics and he has indisputably done great service to the city of Vienna. … But it is not implausible that there is a dark chapter in his past, and it is not an irreverence to investigate this. Or is the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) afraid of embarrassing headlines in the midst of the upcoming election campaign? But perhaps double standards apply in Austria. Just imagine the scandal if there were evidence that a conservative or even right-wing populist politician - dead or alive - had behaved inappropriately or committed a criminal offence. Would there be speculation about a 'plot' or conspiracy in the media? Or would a premature wave of condemnation ensue? One can assume that the latter would be the more likely scenario."

» full article (external link, German)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Austria
All available articles from » Martina Salomon

» To the complete press review of Friday, March 27, 2009