Monday, 1:28 p.m., the invitation to the “Personal Declaration” arrives via WhatsApp. “Please come in large numbers, it is important,” writes Koza. The final, positive smiley does not really suggest a declaration of resignation.
What was confirmed in the evening in Vösendorf Castle. People stream into the auditorium from all sides. Citizens, municipal employees, fire department members. At 7 p.m. sharp, ÖVP mandates take the stage before Hannes Koza and his wife Daniela step in front of the microphone. Thunderous applause begins.
Yes, he made a mistake for which he wanted to sincerely apologize. He was sorry that, above all, the head of the office, Simone Plank, the accounting department and “my beloved fire department” were discredited by the case. “I bear full responsibility,” emphasizes Koza.
And he goes on the offensive: “Vösendorf is a matter close to my heart. I want to continue this work for Vösendorf. But for that I need trust.” So he will ask the question whether the mayor should continue to be called Hannes Koza. And these should “not be answered by other parties or journalists, but by the citizens.”
For this reason, he “agreed with my team to move the date for the local council election forward in order to make it possible to decide earlier who should shape our community in the future.” Speaks and leaves to renewed cheers and applause .
There are no further answers: Koza is not available to answer any questions from journalists.
SPÖ sticks with calls to resign
SPÖ district chairman Hannes Weninger reminds Koza’s defense strategy of the cult saying “I sucked it, I didn’t want it” from the comedy film Mother’s Day. “Always only admitting what has long been proven, dragging employees, journalists and even the volunteer fire department into the scandal and portraying oneself as victims is part of the Koza system. This has to end.”
In order to prevent further damage to the market town, Weninger continues to call for the immediate resignation of the mayor and the appointment of an independent government commissioner.
According to the APA, VPNÖ state manager Matthias Zauner stated in a broadcast: “Legally, the judiciary will judge, politically the people of Vösendorf.”
Flanked primarily by ÖVP mandates and his wife Daniela (l.), Hannes Koza announces his declaration for new elections.
Photo: Dworak
Before resignation?
Falsified invoice?