The Government Parties ÖVP, Spö and Neos have agreed with De Groenen a new regulation of the social media accounts of politicians. In the future, for example, employees in ministerial offices will be active on accounts by government members. A validity with retroactive effect is off the table
In the future, the new regulation will apply to politicians in executive functions at federal and state level and in parliamentary clubs. It is intended to ensure that (party) political content and government work are treated separately.
The amendment of the Party Construction Act to the National Council must be decided. The currently pending procedures and the fines against ÖVP, Neos and Greens imposed by the Senate of the Independent Party Transparency (UPTS) remain unaffected.
Government parties and the greens satisfied with new regulations
ÖVP general secretary Nico Marchetti again emphasized that it was necessary to “regulate the legal gray area with regard to social media performances by political responsibilities practically and clear”. He described the four -party agreement as “welcome”. Spö Federal Managing Director Klaus Rachheim also welcomed the “legal clarification”. The criticism in the parliamentary process of possible effects on fines that the UPTs have already spoken with ÖVP, Neos and Greens has been included, according to Rastheim: “The new regulation only applies to issues that the UPTs will decide in the future.”
Internal discussions at the Neos
For Neos Secretary -General Douglas Hoyos, the regulation will be measured by their implementation. In any case, according to him, with this “both transparency, traceability and legal certainty”. It is still to be seen whether everyone in the Pink National Council Club will agree. The Styrian Neos MP Veit Dlerer had already announced via “Kleine Zeitung” to vote against it. He also hopes “that other colleagues will join him”. He even describes the new regulation as “sins in different ways”.
The deputy Green Club chairman Sigrid Maurer, on the other hand, stated for her faction that “the rules in a previously non -regulated but extremely important area of political communication apply” apply. It was also important for the Greens “that the procedures that are already underway and pending the BVWG are excluded from this rule not to leave a false impression here”.
Reject freedom
Freedom has shown itself further. FPO General Secretary Christian Hafenecker sees yesterday’s statement about the Court of Auditors on the subject of freedom criticism of this “democratic breathing fracture”. “The Court of Auditors clearly states that this draft law of the system parties does not meet the requirements about the transparent financing of the political parties and sees a problematic mixing between government and party work.” Hafenecker asked ÖVP, Spö, Neos and Green to abandon the change in the law.
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.
