The National Council is planning a tightened party law, but it may not be possible to approve it before the summer. The consultations and numerous opposition motions were postponed on Wednesday. According to the Greens and the ÖVP, the aim of the amendment should be to bring more transparency in the financing of parties and to ensure more fairness in competition.
For example, the coalition parties propose to expand the parties’ publication obligations and to give the Court of Audit new audit powers. In addition, penalties for violations of the election campaign cost cap should be significantly increased and donation rules amended. Other content includes new labeling requirements for political advertisements during election campaigns, a public party registry, and clear regulations regarding party-affiliated organizations. The ÖVP and the Greens presented these points. The NEOS, SPÖ and FPÖ made further proposals in their application.
FPÖ wants to completely ban party donations
For example, the NEOS think that criminal offenses for illegal party financing and for falsifying reports can be introduced. Public participation companies would be banned from donating altogether, and the associations law could also be changed to end the circumvention of party donations. The FPÖ, on the other hand, wants to completely ban party donations. An exception may be for new parties when they first participate in an election. The current proposal of the governing parties is not yet suitable for actually making improvements, according to MP Harald Stefan.
The SPÖ believes that the statutes and rules of procedure of the National Council can be amended. Examples are that parliamentary clubs are allowed to have more special audits carried out than before and that the President of the Court of Auditors must from now on be elected by a two-thirds majority. This should strengthen the institution’s independence and democratic legitimacy.
Turning to opposition concerns, MP Andreas Ottenschläger (ÖVP) stated that nothing would stand in the way of further changes if in practice it turned out that the law still contained loopholes. However, it cannot be assumed that the Court of Auditors is acting biased. Both he and Agnes Sirkka Prammer (Greens) spoke out in favor of a swift conclusion of the negotiations. These could be continued for the next few days and on many points there was agreement between the parties.
Two-thirds majority required for decision
Under the constitutional provisions, a two-thirds majority is required to accept the motion for the tightened party law (a simple majority is sufficient for a simple law, note). This requires either the approval of the SPÖ or FPÖ.
Source: Krone
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