!!!Untersuchungsausschüsse

Investigating Committees: The Nationalrat (National Council) can 
appoint investigating committees by majority vote as a means to 
control the federal government. They consist of members delegated by 
the parties represented in the Nationalrat; their main duty is to take 
evidence, whereby all authorities are obliged to provide 
administrative assistance. The Nationalrat has to decide on possible 
sanctions (e.g. motions of no confidence against a federal minister or 
the government). Such committees had major political importance in 
connection with the Vienna General Hospital scandal (corrupt practices 
in awarding contracts, 1980-1981), the Wohnbau-Ost scandal (municipal 
housing complex, bribery, 1983), the Lucona affair (ship scuttled in 
insurance fraud, 1988-1989), and the Noricum scandal (illegal arms 
deliveries to Iran, 1989-1990), in consequence of which leading 
politicians were forced to resign.


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