Vienna  - After Austrian legislators on Thursday found their seats drenched by a leak in the parliament's roof, representatives criticized delaying the renovation of the plenary hall because of the current economic crisis.

"This is an embarrassment for the republic," said parliamentarian Erich Tadler of the far-right Alliance for the Future of Austria.

Faced with uncomfortably wet chairs and a high level of humidity in the hall, legislators called on the president of parliament to review last week's decision to halt repairs.

Parliamentary President Barbara Prammer had argued that "further economic developments should be monitored" before starting the 25- million-euro (32-million-dollar) renovation. (dpa)