Parties in comparison – What awaits us in the digital world after the elections

For our big series on the network and technology policy positions of the political forces looking for your vote, we asked all parties a network policy questionnaire. Views were sought on topics such as hate on the internet, messenger surveillance, digital offices, new financial technologies and IT infrastructure. However, of the nine parties that filed for election, only seven responded…

Beer Party and List Petrovic did not respond
In the Beer Party and the Madeleine Petrovic list, the topic of network and technology policy does not seem to be given much importance. At the time our questionnaire went to press, we had not yet received a response from the Beer Party. The Petrovic List responded to our request, but subsequently failed to deliver the promised items within the agreed timeframe. On the other hand, we received very detailed statements from the small parties “Change” and KPÖ, as well as from the parties represented in parliament.

We have summarized the network and technology policy positions of the parties for you on various topics. However, there are major differences between the positions. There are proponents of surveillance and bitter opponents. Some argue for more state control over IT infrastructure, while others see the market as over-regulated. For some, the digital euro is the beginning of the end of cash and for others it is a way to become more independent from American companies. Opinions also differ in politics when it comes to which future technologies the next government should promote to ensure prosperity and competitiveness.

Below you can read detailed articles about the individual fields:

It will be interesting to see which ideas from the domestic parties actually prove feasible after the elections – after all, the services that our politicians discuss are often products of foreign digital companies that are not always easily accessible to the Austrian authorities and judiciary. Much – such as the digital euro or the European health data space – will also depend on further debates at EU level, in which Austria will of course have a voice.

Conclusion: ‘Unknown territory’ was yesterday; the digital space is now a central theme for the politics of all parties. However, the approach is shaped by the ideology in question. ‘Law and order’ versus laissez-faire on issues like hate mail, cybersecurity and surveillance, ‘private versus state’ on infrastructure, hope versus skepticism when it comes to digital money. The Austrians will decide on Sunday who will make their visions come true.