The judiciary has been very controversial in recent years. There have been calls for reforms, but not all have been implemented yet. The issue currently does not play an important role in the coalition negotiations. There is a great need for action.
Since Ibiza there have been intense disputes and highly controversial lawsuits. After the elections, silence surrounded the venerable woman. The judiciary plays no role in the current public debate about possible coalitions. There’s a lot to work on.
- Mobile phone security topic: Chats shocked the republic and caused resignations and political crises. The current government can no longer obtain a majority for a new arrangement, which, according to the Supreme Court, must come into effect at the end of this year. The FPÖ took advantage of this and last week requested that data carriers from now on only be allowed to confiscate under penalty of more than a year in prison. Judges and prosecutors were in an uproar.
- Supervision of messaging services: Common in most countries – even in cautious Germany with its strict constitutional court. After the terrorist attack during the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, which was prevented (by warning from the US), the ÖVP stated that the surveillance of Signal and Co. on suspects was a condition for the coalition. The Greens were against it. It could be an exciting negotiating point.
- The controversial WKStA: Recently they mainly focused on people close to the ÖVP. There are dozens of cases pending; there have been trials, guilty verdicts, dismissals and acquittals. Recently, key investigators walked away from the anti-corruption bureau. Someone has to stay now. Senior prosecutor Bernhard Weratschnig wanted to become a judge in his hometown of Klagenfurt. A woman was chosen over him. Interesting to see how a new government deals with the relatively self-sufficient WKStA, which requires more resources.
- Federal prosecutor: Austria is one of the few countries where the Ministry of Justice is responsible for directing prosecutors. The ÖVP and the Greens also agree that we want to change that. They couldn’t agree on how. And who should this ‘independent’ person or committee be? Who decides on this? Anyone who knows Austria knows that this will be a tough challenge.
- Post-negotiators and appointments of judges: Replacement appointments to the highest courts, such as the Federal Administrative Court, took months. Green and Turquoise disagreed. The judges’ association made serious accusations and emphasized that independent courts should be staffed without party interests. Ultimately there was a political agreement. Approved by the Federal President. What everyone overlooked or ignored. According to the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights of March 12, 2019 (Bsw 26374/18), such “side letter orders” in courts are illegal.
How do the parties see this?
They currently do not want to communicate anything to potential government partners through the media. But the NEOS wants urgent reforms in the interest of the fight against corruption, says club vice-president Nikolaus Scherak. More resources are needed and an independent federal prosecutor’s office is needed at the end of the chain of command.
The Greens see this the same way, pointing out that their Justice Minister, Alma Zadic, has prevented the “silent death” of the judiciary.
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.
