Austrian opposition seeks graft inquiry in next headache for Kurz

FILE PHOTO: Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, who is under investigation on suspicion of corruption offences, arrives to give a statement at the federal chancellery in Vienna, Austria October 9, 2021. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner

VIENNA (Reuters) - Austrian opposition parties agreed on Wednesday to set up a parliamentary commission of inquiry into alleged corruption by officials from the ruling conservative party after its leader Sebastian Kurz stepped down as chancellor at the weekend.

Kurz denies wrongdoing but has been placed under investigation along with nine others including senior aides on suspicion of corruption offences to do with using public funds to manipulate public opinion in favour of Kurz when he was seeking to take over as party leader and later chancellor.