The opposition still sees some shortcomings and outstanding points in the new anti-corruption package. The SPÖ continues to push for a federal prosecutor and the freedom of information law. While the liberals believe that the tightening will particularly affect the ÖVP, a new Ibiza for NEOS is still possible. The legislative package makes buying mandates a criminal offense – not least in response to promises made by then FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache in Ibiza before entering the federal government.
While the government’s announcements on Thursday (see video above) for SPÖ spokeswoman Selma Yildirim represent “finally necessary improvements”, they also left “much to be desired”. Even the best law is useless “if there is no interest in clarification,” according to Yildirim. Tightening sentences without tools to expose these crimes would not work. Yildirim therefore calls again for the implementation of the federal prosecutor’s office and the law on freedom of information.
FPÖ: Law hits ÖVP “with full force”
The liberals see the People’s Party especially affected by the new arrangement. “Given the dozens of corruption cases within the ÖVP currently under investigation, this planned tightening can only hit the ÖVP with full force,” said Christian Hafenecker, leader of the ÖVP’s corruption investigation committee. The University Committee has shown that corruption in the People’s Party is “apparently inherent in the system”.
NEOS: ‘Water damage painted over with white paint’
The NEOS can’t get much good out of the box. Ibiza is still possible, according to judicial spokesman Johannes Margreiter: “The Federal President rightly spoke about enormous water damage in the Republic of Austria. What the federal government announced today is that they now want to paint over this water damage with white paint. But that does not solve it.” The responsible ministers Alma Zadic (Greens) and Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) instead “threw sand in the eyes of the people”, according to Margreiter.
Pending: Freedom of Information Act, Office of the Federal Attorney General
The “Clean Hands” initiative welcomed the implementation of some demands of the anti-corruption referendum, but the work was “far from done”. The Freedom of Information Act and the federal prosecutor’s office were still missing. “To put a lasting end to corruption in Austria, the ÖVP and the Greens must also implement the remaining demands of the anti-corruption referendum during this legislature,” said Ursula Bittner, spokeswoman for the Clean Hands initiative.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
