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Why are two former Austrian politicians rumored for corruption running after the Serbian autocrat?

2026-09-14 18:06:41Pikëpamje SHKRUAR NGA ENVER ROBELLI

Why are two former Austrian politicians rumored for corruption running after the

Before the burial of war criminal Ratko Mladic, two Austrian politicians stayed in Serbia: Johannes Hahn, chairman of the General Council of the Austrian National Bank, and former Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who resigned following corruption allegations.

The two met Serbian autocrat Aleksandar Vučić at a lunch in Sombor, a town in Vojvodina known for its famous peppers called somborka, which have left their mark on almost every Balkan cuisine for decades and are increasingly popular in Europe. It is hard to believe that the Austrian politicians went to Sombor to buy somborka peppers for pickling.

Vučić himself published a photo with “friends from Austria and Germany” (there were also German businessmen at the meeting). The timing of the Austrian politicians’ visit is interesting: they came to Serbia before Mladić was buried (with state and military honors) and before early parliamentary elections were announced.

Although Hahn said it was a "private" visit, the Green Party in Austria has demanded explanations for this hospitality visit to Serbia.

It should not be forgotten: Hahn was also the EU Commissioner for Enlargement. Also present at the meeting held in Sombor, Vojvodina, was Siegfried Wolf, a former manager of the Magna company, who is a kind of Austrian oligarch, "with excellent connections in Moscow", as the Vienna magazine "Profil" reports.

The Austrian National Bank announced that it was a private visit, “which has absolutely nothing to do with his function as chairman of the General Council of the Austrian National Bank.” The magazine “profil” ironically asks whether the timing of the meeting – just before the elections and precisely when Vučić is trying to become prime minister again – was just a coincidence. The scoundrels may believe it was a coincidence.

Many Austrian politicians do not hesitate to serve dubious political figures around the world. Karin Kneissl, former Foreign Minister (2017-2019), danced with Vladimir Putin at her wedding in 2018, later became a board member of the Russian giant Rosneft, and in 2023 finally moved to St. Petersburg, where she now runs a geopolitical think tank at the local university.

Alfred Gusenbauer, former Social Democratic Chancellor (SPÖ, 2007-2008), was affiliated with the DOC Research Institute, founded by Vladimir Yakunin, the former head of Russian Railways and a close Putin confidant. Gusenbauer was also involved in paid lobbying for the pro-Russian regime of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. (Gusenbauer has denied this, believe it or not).

Wolfgang Schüssel, former chancellor of the conservatives (ÖVP), joined the board of the Russian company Lukoil, and previously also had ties to the Russian telecommunications company MTS.

Christian Kern, former Social Democratic chancellor and former director of Austrian Railways, became a member of the supervisory board of Russian State Railways (RZD).

Three former Austrian prime ministers have held lucrative positions in organizations close to the Kremlin – this is unprecedented in Europe. And it doesn't end there.

Hans Jörg Schelling, former Minister of Finance (ÖVP), after leaving the government became an advisor to the Russian gas giant Gazprom, regarding the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

In 2016, leaders of the right-wing FPÖ party went to Moscow to sign a friendship agreement with Vladimir Putin's party, then posted photos of themselves on social media from Moscow's Red Square. The party also maintains close ties with nationalist politicians in Serbia and the Serb-controlled part of Bosnia.

After Putin invaded Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014, Austria was the first country in Europe to roll out the red carpet for the Russian aggressor. At the time, the chancellor was a Social Democrat. Four years later, in 2018, Putin was welcomed back to Vienna, this time by a conservative politician. Putin was still the aggressor, having expanded the war into eastern Ukraine.

Austrian politicians have a long history of closeness to Putin. At the beginning of his term as Russian president, he was photographed skiing down a slope in the winter sports resort of St. Anton. The then-Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel was skiing alongside him.

In 2019, the head of Austria's secret service complained that Austria was not being treated as an equal partner in the so-called Berne Club, which consists of the heads of the intelligence services of the 28 EU countries, as well as Norway and Switzerland. Other Europeans were reluctant to share information with the Austrians because of the closeness of Viennese politicians to Russia.

In 2026, some Austrian politicians may not dare to go to Moscow due to the EU's reactions, but they will be able to travel to Sombor, Serbia, without any problems.


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