Austrian Premier Faymann under pressure over tabloid ties

Sep 20, 2011, 11:23 GMT

Vienna - Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann faced increasing pressure Tuesday over allegations that he secured support from tabloid media by ordering the state railway and road companies to buy advertisements.

Several newspapers published additional information Tuesday about the potential scandal, which allegedly took place in 2007 when the Social Democratic politician was transport minister.

According to a report by the daily Kurier, Faymann's cabinet chief at the time held a meeting with the head of the Austrian railways company OeBB and asked him to earmark several million euros 'for Werner' (1 million euros equals 1.4 million dollars).

The image campaign adverts included a promotional article featuring Faymann in the Kronen Zeitung, Austria's biggest daily.

The former cabinet chief Josef Ostermayer did not deny the meeting in an interview with national broadcaster ORF. He neither confirmed nor denied the incriminating details of the conversation with the OeBB chief.

Ostermayer, who is currently state secretary responsible for media issues, said there had been many such meetings. 'And of course we also talked about the company's image,' he said.

Prosectors are investigating whether Faymann and Ostermayer abused their powers.

The chancellor has not commented on the case.

The allegations against Faymann came amid a recent flurry of corruption allegations uncovered by media and investigated by prosecutors against several former conservative and right-wing ministers.