On Wednesday evening, the National Council, with the votes of the coalition, gave the executive additional powers. Among other things, license plate recognition equipment will be reintroduced and the special house search warrant (searching bags etc.) will be expanded.
In future, these powers should no longer be granted only in the context of certain major events, but also for facilities that are “particularly susceptible to danger”. The opposition stormed the proposal and predicted that it would not hold up in the Constitutional Court (VfGH).
The regulation now in place makes a vehicle inspection possible in the event of a simple theft of chewing gum, which is exactly what the VfGH has already revoked, says NEOS representative Nikolaus Scherak.
SPÖ security spokesman Reinhold Einwallner wanted to acknowledge that the door to “unfounded mass surveillance” had been opened. Freedom Party Christian Ries criticized the wording in the search query as too vague.
The Cybercrime Amendment Failed
The opposition had more success with a cybersecurity amendment, which it was able to block because a resolution would have required a two-thirds majority. A cybersecurity authority was planned within the Ministry of the Interior, which would be responsible for reporting and handling security incidents and would be responsible for the exchange of information at both national and international level. All opposition factions criticized this construction.
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.
