The European Commission has expressed its concern about Austria’s legal system. For example, according to criticism, little progress has been made in setting up an independent federal prosecutor’s office that is free of instructions and in the Open Government Act.
In principle, however, the perception of the independence of the Austrian legal system is high, according to the rule of law report published by the European Commission on Wednesday. Austria’s judicial system “is in an important process of reform,” it said. However, there is cause for concern that “the need for judicial involvement in the appointment of administrative court chairpersons” has not been taken into account. The reform of the prosecutor’s office has also not progressed, criticized. The final report of the expert group of September 2022 would not have led to political measures.
Anti-corruption action plan
In its analysis, the European Commission also highlighted work on a new anti-corruption action plan. Recommendations on party financing, including the Court’s power to audit party finances, have been implemented. However, the EU authority noted no progress in introducing “effective regulation for the disclosure of MPs’ assets and interests, including effective control and sanction mechanisms”.
Council for Journalism has financial problems
The media regulator will continue to operate independently. Support is planned for the Council for Journalism, which is in financial trouble. There is also some movement in reforming the practice of awarding government advertisements, which has been criticized several times, according to the EU commission. While this has “improved the transparency of state advertising, the fair allocation of funds has not yet been clarified,” she cautioned.
The report criticizes Austria’s failure to make progress on the freedom of information law. In addition, some challenges regarding the safety of journalists remained, the EU authority said, without giving any specific information.
Ombuds committee “efficient”
There were words of praise for the ombudsman service, which “continues to work efficiently”. Several initiatives are also underway to support public participation in political decision-making processes and civil society “continues to operate in a stable environment”, according to the EU authority.
The NEOS used the EU report to sharply criticize the turquoise-green federal government. “It is a declaration of bankruptcy for the entire federal government that nothing has been happening for years, both with the ‘Neverending Story of Freedom of Information’ and with the independent federal prosecutor’s office,” her deputy club boss Niki Scherak said on Wednesday. afternoon.
Source: Krone
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