After the revelations about Russian espionage at the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the urge for action arises. The Austrian parties want stricter laws.
Vienna was considered a cop’s playground even before the 1949 film classic ‘The Third Man’; this tradition goes back to the time of the monarchy. So far everyone has been able to live well with it.
Spy thriller causes excitement
The latest revelations about Russian spies in the Constitutional Service suddenly spark frantic activity in domestic politics. Suddenly everyone wants to change the laws – but at least for once there is agreement, even the FPÖ is on board. This development is not least due to Russia’s new role as a clear enemy.
The ÖVP calls for more online surveillance
Minister of Justice Alma Zadić (Greens) hastened the announcement of a tightening of the espionage paragraph. Espionage by foreign intelligence services will in the future be punishable in this country not only if it is aimed against Austrian interests, but also if other states or international organizations are spied on. That has not been the case so far.
Coalition partner ÖVP and all other parliamentary parties support the request. Even the Freedom Party can imagine stricter punishments. However, the People’s Party links its approval to enabling monitoring of messenger services such as WhatsApp or Telegram (keyword: federal Trojans).
‘Quickly devise a law on measures’
The Greens have so far rejected this demand from the ÖVP, which has been on the table for a long time. “What is now emerging worries me as Chancellor. The question now is how quickly and how quickly we can deduce a law from this information so that the judiciary can carry out its task and advance the investigation in cooperation with the security authorities,” party leader and Chancellor Nehammer told the “Krone” . .
This concerns the national security of the republic: “In my opinion, it is therefore important to also change the legal situation, as the Minister of Justice suggests, with the addition that this only makes sense if the defense is also strengthened. I can only combat espionage efficiently if the services are given sufficient instruments to do so. This means electronic intelligence that enables rapid intervention.”
Espionage affair as subject of the election campaign
The affair surrounding the Russian spy in the former BVT is, not surprisingly, also being used for the election campaign. The ÖVP refers almost daily to the connections of the suspected spy Egisto Ott with the FPÖ, SPÖ, the NEOS and the ex-politician Peter Pilz.
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.
