COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2023 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2023 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union
Date: 2023-07-05
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Austria, administrative transparency, corruption, democracy, independence of the judiciary, infringement of EU law, pluralism in the media, political rights, rule of law

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 5.7.2023  SWD(2023) 820 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2023 Rule of Law Report      Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2023 Rule of Law Report                     The rule of law situation in the European Union {COM(2023) 800 final} - {SWD(2023) 801 final} - {SWD(2023) 802 final} - {SWD(2023) 803 final} - {SWD(2023) 804 final} - {SWD(2023) 805 final} - {SWD(2023) 806 final} - {SWD(2023) 807 final} - {SWD(2023) 808 final} - {SWD(2023) 809 final} - {SWD(2023) 810 final} - {SWD(2023) 811 final} - {SWD(2023) 812 final} - {SWD(2023) 813 final} - {SWD(2023) 814 final} - {SWD(2023) 815 final} - {SWD(2023) 816 final} - {SWD(2023) 817 final} - {SWD(2023) 818 final} - {SWD(2023) 819 final} - {SWD(2023) 821 final} - {SWD(2023) 822 final} - {SWD(2023) 823 final} - {SWD(2023) 824 final} - {SWD(2023) 825 final} - {SWD(2023) 826 final} - {SWD(2023) 827 final}  
 
 
ABSTRACT 

The Austrian justice system, which continues to have a very high level of perceived judicial 
independence,  is  undergoing  important  reforms.  A  law  was  adopted  in  December  2022  to 
provide for judicial involvement in the appointment of the Supreme Court president and vice-
president. Legislation to ensure judicial involvement in appointments of candidate judges was 
also adopted. However, the need for judicial involvement in appointments of administrative 
court presidents has not been addressed, which continues to raise concerns. The reform of the 
prosecution  service,  with  the  aim  of  creating  an  independent  Prosecutor  General,  has  not 
advanced, with no political follow-up so far to the expert group’s final report of September 
2022. Amendments to reduce reporting obligations for prosecutors remain under preparation. 
The resources of the judiciary have been further increased and the roll-out of electronic files is 
advancing. The absence of a cap on court fees remains a challenge. Further improvements have 
been made regarding efficiency in administrative cases.  

Work  is  ongoing  to  prepare  a  new  Anti-Corruption  Action  Plan.  The  Ministry  of  Justice 
proposed  strengthening  the  anti-corruption  criminal  law  framework,  which  stakeholders 
welcomed while suggesting further amendments. The parliamentary investigative committee 
on alleged corruption concerning a governmental political party submitted its final report to 
the plenary in March 2023, which includes several anticorruption-related recommendations. 
High-level corruption investigations are proceeding, and prosecutors experience high scrutiny 
on individual cases. A working group was created to follow-up on asset and interest disclosure 
rules  for  members  of  Parliament,  but  no  concrete  results  are  reported  so  far.  An  important 
reform of the political party financing framework has been finalised, reinforcing the role of the 
Court  of  Audit.  Political  agreement  remains  outstanding  on  revising  the  current  lobbying 
legislation,  which  remains  limited  in  scope.  The  introduction  of  rules  to  address  revolving 
doors,  and  post-employment  provisions  for  members  of  Government  or  Parliament  has  not 
advanced.  

The media regulatory authority continues to function independently. The self-regulatory Press 
Council  experiences  financial  challenges,  which  should  be  relieved  once  a  new  federal  law 
providing for more financial support will be in force. Parliament adopted a law improving the 
transparency of state advertising, while the fairness of its allocation remains unaddressed. A 
new draft law on funding of quality journalism increases the amount of funding and widens the 
scope  of  beneficiaries.  A  new  law  adopted  by  Parliament  has  drawn  criticism  for  partly 
transforming one of the oldest newspapers into a medium focused on training and education. 
The  institutional  set-up  of  the  public  service  media  provider  has  been  criticised  for  being 
vulnerable  to  politicisation,  and  a  constitutional  complaint  regarding  the  composition  of  its 
governing  foundation  council  is  pending.  While  consultations  continued,  the  freedom  of 
information law has not advanced. Some challenges regarding the safety of journalists remain. 

Several initiatives are ongoing to support public participation in policymaking processes, while 
there are calls for a more systematic approach. The Ombudsperson Board continues to operate 
effectively. The appointment and dismissal procedures for the Court of Audit President were 
strengthened, increasing the majorities required. Long delays in appointments for the heads of 
other independent bodies persist. Civil society continues to operate in a stable environment, 
with a reform to improve tax rules for non-profit organisations under preparation.  

1 

 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS 

Overall, concerning the recommendations in the 2022 Rule of Law Report, Austria has (made):  

  No  further  progress  on  continuing  the  reform  to  establish  an  independent  Federal 
Prosecution  Office,  taking  into  account  European  standards  on  the  independence  and 
autonomy  of  the  prosecution,  including  to  ensure  the  independent  operation  of  the 
specialised anti-corruption prosecution  

  Fully  implemented  the  recommendation  to  address  the  need  for  involvement  of  the 
judiciary  in  the  procedures  for  appointment  of  the  president  and  vice-president  of  the 
Supreme  Court  and  made  no  progress  on  addressing  the  need  for  involvement  of  the 
judiciary in the procedures for appointment for court presidents of administrative courts 
taking into account European standards on judicial appointments and the selection of court 
presidents.  

  Fully implemented the recommendation to finalise the legislative revision of the political 
party financing rules including to empower the Austrian Court of Audit  (ACA) to audit 
political party finances. 

  No  progress  yet  on  introducing  effective  rules  on  assets  and  interests’  declaration  for 
Members of Parliament, including effective monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms. 
  Some progress on reforming the framework for the allocation of state advertising by public 
authorities at all levels, in particular to improve transparency of its distribution, with no 
progress on the fairness of its distribution. 

  No  progress  on  advancing  with  the  reform  on  access  to  official  information  taking  into 

account the European standards on access to official documents. 

On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference, it 
is recommended to Austria to: 

  Take forward the reform to  establish an independent  Federal  Prosecution Office, taking 
into account European standards on the independence and autonomy of the prosecution, 
including  to  ensure  the  independent  operation  of  the  specialised  anti-corruption 
prosecution. 

  Address  the need for involvement  of the judiciary in  the procedures  for  appointment of 
court  presidents  of  administrative  courts,  taking  into  account  European  standards  on 
judicial appointments and the selection of court presidents.  
Introduce effective rules on assets and interests’ declaration for Members of Parliament, 
including effective monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms. 

 

  Adopt  legislation  to  strengthen  the  framework  on  lobbying,  including  on  its  scope, 

supervision and enforcement. 

  Take  further  steps  to  reform  of  the  framework  for  the  allocation  of  state  advertising  by 
public authorities at all levels, in particular to improve the fairness of its distribution. 
  Advance with the reform on access to official information taking into account the European 

standards on access to official documents. 

2 

 
 
I. 

JUSTICE SYSTEM  

The Austrian justice system has two separate branches. The ordinary jurisdiction consists of 
115  district  courts,  20  regional  courts,  four  higher  regional  courts  and  the  Supreme  Court. 
Austria also has a separate administrative court system with eleven first-instance administrative 
courts (nine regional administrative courts, one federal  administrative court and the finance 
court)  and  the  Supreme  Administrative  Court1.  The  Constitutional  Court,  i.a.  ensures  the 
review  of  the  constitutionality  of  federal  and  regional  laws  and  of  the  legality  of  decrees2. 
Judicial  appointments  are  made  by  the  executive  based  on  non-binding  proposals  by  staff 
panels composed of judges3 or plenary assemblies of a court, which draw up a ranked list of 
three  candidates  for  each  post4.  The  Prosecution  Service  is  a  judicial  authority  set  up  in  a 
hierarchical  structure  under  the  supervision  of  the  Minister  of  Justice,  who  can  issue  both 
general instructions and instructions in individual cases5. Austria participates in the European 
Public  Prosecutor’s  Office  (EPPO).  Lawyers  are  registered  in  one  of  the  nine  local  bar 
associations, which are public law corporations and autonomous self-governing bodies, with 
the Federal Bar Association as an umbrella organisation6. 

Independence  

The level of perceived judicial independence in Austria continues to be very high both 
among the general public and companies. Overall, 83% of the general population and 80% 
of companies perceived the level of independence of courts and judges to be ‘fairly or very 
good’  in  20237.  According  to  data  in  the  2023  EU  Justice  Scoreboard,  the  level  remains 
consistently high for both the general public and companies since 2016. The perceived judicial 
independence among the general public remains at the same level as in 2022 and is higher than 
in  2016  (77%).  The  perceived  judicial  independence  among  companies  has  increased  in 
comparison with 2022 (77%), as well as with 2016 (66%). 

A reform to provide for judicial involvement in the appointment of the Supreme Court 
president and vice-presidents was adopted. The 2022 Rule of Law Report recommended to 
Austria  to  “[a]ddress  the  need  for  involvement  of  the  judiciary  in  the  procedures  for 
appointment of the president and vice-president of the Supreme Court [...], taking into account 

1   Several of the district and regional courts are specialised courts. This structure does not necessarily correspond 
to the appeals instances. See CEPEJ (2022), Study on the functioning of judicial systems in the EU Member 
States. 

2   For the tasks of the Constitutional Court see Federal Constitutional Law, §§ 137-148.  
3   Staff panels exist at regional and higher regional courts, the Supreme Court and administrative courts and the 
staff panels at the regional courts are also responsible for proposals for district courts. Staff panels include the 
president,  vice-president  and  three  to  five  other  members  of  the  court,  which  are  elected  by  their  peers. 
Constitution Art. 87 paras. 2-3 and Service Act for Judges and Public Prosecutors §§ 25 to 49.  

4   Before  becoming  an  ordinary  court  judge,  candidates  must  first  apply  to  a  post  for  a  candidate  judge  and 
complete a traineeship (usually four years). Candidate judges are appointed by the executive on proposal of 
the  external  senates  at  the  Higher  Regional  Courts.  After  completing  the  traineeship,  they  can  apply  for  a 
vacant post in accordance with the procedure described above. Service Act for Judges and Public Prosecutors, 
§§ 1 to 24. There is no judicial review of appointment decisions.  

5   Public Prosecutors Act, §§ 8, 8a, 29-31.  
6   Lawyers Code, Chapters III and V.  
7   Figures 49 and 51, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard. The level of perceived judicial independence is categorised 
as follows: very low (below 30% of respondents perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); 
low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%). 

3 

 
                                                           
European standards on judicial appointments and the selection of court presidents”8. As noted 
in the 2022 Rule of Law Report9, the absence of judicial involvement in these appointments 
had  come  under  scrutiny,  also  in  view  of  information  released  about  secret  political  side-
agreements regarding top-level judicial appointments. Following a stakeholder consultation, 
the Government submitted a draft reform of the appointment procedure for the Supreme Court 
president  and  vice-president  to  Parliament  in  November  2022,  which  was  adopted  on  21 
December 2022, and entered into force on 1 January 202310. The amended law11 provides that 
these appointments, which until now were made by the Federal President upon proposal of the 
Federal Government or the Minister of Justice, ensure judicial involvement through a proposal 
by  a  staff  panel12.  This  newly  created  staff  panel  includes  the  five  elected  members  of  the 
external senate of the Supreme Court13 and the three elected members of the staff panel of the 
Supreme  Court14.  This  reform  is  in  line  with  European  standards  according  to  which  the 
procedures for the appointment of presidents of courts should follow the same path as that for 
the selection and appointment of judges15. Stakeholders16, including the Supreme Court17, have 
welcomed this reform, which responds to a long-standing demand. The new system is being 
applied  for  the  first  time  in  2023,  as  both  the  president  and  a  vice-president  are  reaching 
retirement age18. Therefore, this part of the recommendation made in the 2022 Rule of Law 
Report has been fully implemented.  

There has been no progress to address the need for judicial involvement in appointments 
for administrative court presidents, which continues to raise concerns. The 2022 Rule of 
Law Report recommended to Austria to “[a]ddress the need for involvement of the judiciary in 
the procedures for appointment […] for court presidents of administrative courts, taking into 
account European standards on judicial appointments and the selection of court presidents”19. 
As noted in previous Rule of Law Reports20, the fact that vice-presidents and presidents are 
appointed without systematic involvement of the judiciary21, combined with their broad powers 

8   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 2.  
9   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, pp. 3-4.  
10   This  reform  was  part  of  a  larger  omnibus  legislation,  the  Second  Service  Law  Amendment  2022  (2. 

Dienstrechtsnovelle 2022).  

11   These provisions are to be found in the revised article §32 of the Service Act for Judges and Prosecutors.  
12   Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 4-5.  
13   The External Senate at the Supreme Court consists of two ex-officio members (president and vice-president) 
and five judges elected by their peers, who are elected by the elected members of the staff panels at the Upper 
Regional Courts and the Supreme Court from among all eligible judges at the Upper Regional Courts and the 
Supreme Court. § 36a, Service Act for Judges and Prosecutors. 

14   See FN 3 on the composition of staff panels. Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 4-5.  
15   CCJE Opinion No. 19 (2016) on the role of court presidents, para. 38, which refers to the standards established 
in Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the  Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member 
states on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities. 

16   Contributions  from  the  Austrian  Association  of  Prosecutors,  the  Association  of  European  Administrative 
Judges (Austria) and the Austrian Association of Judges for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, see also Position 
paper by the Austrian Association of Judges on the stakeholder consultation on the draft law.  

17   Contribution from the Supreme Court for the 2023 Rule of Law Report. 
18   Contribution from the Supreme Court for the 2023 Rule of Law Report. The calls for applications for both 

posts were opened on 18 April 2023 and close on 26 May.  

19   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 2.  
20   2022, 2021 and 2020 Rule of Law Reports, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, pp. 4-5, 

pp. 4-5 and pp. 2-3, respectively. 

21   Contribution from  the  Association of European  Administrative Judges (Austria) for the 2023 Rule of  Law 
Report, pp. 15-16. As further explained in the 2022, 2021 and 2020 Rule of Law Reports, Country Chapter on 
the rule of law situation in Austria, pp. 4-5, pp. 4-5 and pp. 2-3, respectively.  

4 

 
                                                           
and  duties  and  the  fact  that  they  do  not  have  to  be  selected  from  among  already  appointed 
judges22,  raises  concerns  with  regard  to  European  standards23.  These  concerns  continue  to 
materialise in a number of recent appointment procedures24, with stakeholders continuing to 
raise the need for reform25. The authorities indicate that no specific measures have been taken 
in this respect, nor are they currently envisaged26. The Court of Audit also raised this issue in 
a recent audit of the Federal Administrative Court27. It should be recalled that, according to 
Council of Europe recommendations, if the executive takes decisions regarding the selection 
of judges, an independent and competent authority drawn in substantial part from the judiciary 
should be authorised to make recommendations or express opinions that the executive follows 
in practice28. Therefore, in the absence of concrete steps to address the persisting concerns, no 
progress has been made on this part of the recommendation made in the 2022 Report.  

The reform improving the involvement of the judiciary in the appointment of candidate 
judges has  been adopted.  Amendments  to  the system of appointment of  candidate judges, 
while not included, as initially planned, in the ‘First service law amendment 2022’ adopted in 
July 202229, were finally adopted as part of the ‘Second Service Law Amendment 2022’ on 22 
December  2022  and  entered  into  force  on  1  January  2023.  Under  the  new  legal  regime,  as 
reported in the 2022 Rule of Law Report30, external senates at the Higher Regional Courts will 

22   2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, pp. 2-3. 
23   CCJE Opinion No. 19 (2016) on the role of court presidents, para. 38, and Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 
of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states on judges: independence, efficiency 
and responsibilities, para. 47. 

24   For example, the appointment of the president of the regional administrative court in Styria, where the call for 
applications did not include judicial experience as a criterion. Association of Austrian Administrative Judges, 
Regional Administrative Court Styria – Vacancy for the President’s post. See also as regards the currently on-
going appointment procedure for the post of president of the Federal Administrative Court, where the selection 
procedure  by  the  appointment  committee  has  been  concluded,  but  no  formal  decision  (to  be  taken  by  the 
Federal Government) has been made. Association of Austrian Administrative Judges, Appointment of the new 
president of the Federal Administrative Court as pawn of politics.  

25   Contribution from  the  Association of European  Administrative Judges (Austria) for the  2023 Rule of  Law 
Report, p. 15 and contribution from the Austrian Association of Judges for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 
10. This has also been flagged by GRECO. GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round – Interim Compliance Report, 
recommendation xi, paras. 27-37; GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round – Second Interim Compliance Report, 
recommendation xi paras. 50-66. 

26   Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 5, as further confirmed by the Ministry of Justice in 

the context of the country visit to Austria.  

27   The Court of Audit, citing also concerns raised by the European Commission, recommends to the Ministry of 
Justice  to  examine  whether  the  existing  rules  for  the  appointment  of  the  (vice-)presidents  of  the  Federal 
Administrative Courts can ensure the necessary transparency and traceability of appointment decisions, and if 
not, to reform them. Report, Court of Audit (2023), Report on the Federal Administrative Court, p. 74. More 
generally, there continues to be a lack of uniformity in the recruitment procedures for regular administrative 
judges. While no mandatory training of new judges is foreseen, since 2020 there exists a modular introductory 
programme for newly appointed judges as part of the Austrian Academy of Administrative Jurisdiction, that 
is completed continuously. Contribution from the Association of European Administrative Judges (Austria) 
for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp 15-16 and p. 21 and written contribution from Austria for the 2023 Rule 
of Law Report. See in this respect, GRECO, Fourth Evaluation Round – Second Interim Compliance Report, 
recommendation ix, paras. 55-66. 

28   Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states 

on judges: independence, efficiency and responsibilities, para. 47. 

29   As had been noted in the 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, 
pp. 6-7, these amendments had been included in the draft of the First Service Law Amendment 2022. However, 
the version adopted in July 2022 did ultimately not retain the provision on candidate judges. 

30   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation, pp. 6-7.  

5 

 
                                                           
make proposals for the appointment of candidate judges (which was previously done directly 
by the court presidents)31, who are then appointed by the Minister of Justice32. This constitutes 
an improvement vis-à-vis European standards according to which, when the Government or 
the legislative power take decisions concerning the selection of judges,  an independent  and 
competent authority drawn in substantial part from the judiciary should be authorised to make 
recommendations  or  express  opinions  which  the  relevant  appointing  authority  follows  in 
practice33. Overall, stakeholders evaluate this reform positively  34, and indicate that once the 
new system has been applied for the first time in all courts, by mid-2023, further conclusions 
about  its  functioning  can  be  drawn  and  experience-sharing  between  the  courts  will  be 
organised35.  

There has been no further progress made on the reform of the prosecution service, with 
the  expert  group’s  final  report  yet  to  be  followed-up.  The  2022  Rule  of  Law  Report 
recommended  to  Austria  to  “[c]ontinue  the  reform  to  establish  an  independent  Federal 
Prosecution Office, taking into account European standards on the independence and autonomy 
of  the  prosecution,  including  to  ensure  the  independent  operation  of  the  specialised  anti-
corruption prosecution”36. The expert group, composed of high-level representatives of all key 
stakeholders of the Austrian judiciary37, and set up in spring 202138 to propose a model for 
such a reform, presented its final report in September 202239. In the report, the working group 
proposes  the  introduction  of  an  independent  Prosecutor  General’s  Office,  headed  by  a 
Prosecutor General40, who should be appointed upon a proposal from a staff panel, similar to 
those existing for appointments of judges (which are composed in majority of representatives 
of  the  judiciary  selected  by  their  peers)41.  The  Prosecutor  General  would  need  to  fulfil  the 
requirements for appointment as a judge and have a minimum of ten years of experience in 

31   As stipulated in the revised §3 of the Service Act for Judges and Prosecutors. In addition, the reform formalised 

certain requirements for the interview to be conducted by the court president.  

32   §3, Service Act for Judges and Prosecutors.  
33   Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states 
on  judges:  independence,  efficiency  and  responsibilities,  para.  47.  This  has  also  been  subject  to 
recommendations  by  GRECO.  GRECO  Fourth  Evaluation  Round  –  Interim  Compliance  Report, 
recommendation x, paras. 27-32 and GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round – Second Interim Compliance Report, 
recommendation x, paras. 55-54. 

34   Contribution  from the  Austrian  Association of Judges for the  2023 Rule of  Law  Report,  p. 3. Information 

received from the Supreme Court in the context of the country visit to Austria.  

35   Information received from the Austrian Association of Judges in the context of the country visit to Austria.  
36   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 2.  
37   The working group, chaired by the Head of the Criminal Law section in the Ministry of Justice, included the 
President of the Supreme Court, the General Procurator, the Heads of all Senior Prosecution Offices, the Head 
of the WKStA, the Presidents of the Associations of Judges and of Prosecutors and of the Federal Bar as well 
as a number of representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Chancellery and a number of University 
Professors specialised in criminal law. Final Report of the expert group, p. 3-5.  

38   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 5; see also Final Report 

of the expert group, p. 2. 

39   Available at https://www.bmj.gv.at/themen/Strafrecht--Gesetze/Generalstaatsanwaltschaft0.html.  
40   Final Report of the expert group, p. 18.  
41   More specifically, a proposal of a list of three candidates should be made by a panel composed of the five 
elected members of the external senate of the Prosecutor General’s Office and three elected members of the 
staff panel of the Office. A ninth member with significant experience should be appointed as chair (either the 
most senior head of a Senior Prosecution Office or the Supreme Court President). The Minister of Justice on 
this basis proposes the candidate for appointment and has to motivate a deviation from the list of candidates. 
The appointment would be made by the President of the Republic, who has no discretion. Final Report of the 
expert group, pp. 20-23.  

6 

 
                                                           
criminal law42. Instructions in individual criminal cases would be issued by senates of three 
prosecutors (from the new Prosecutor General’s office), which the report notes to be inspired 
by the EPPO43. Parliamentary control should be possible for administrative matters and cases 
that have been concluded, but not for ongoing cases, which should be subject only to review 
by the courts44. However, no political agreement has so far been found on key aspects of the 
reform within the Government coalition45 and only internal technical preparations of a draft 
have taken place, that have to  await further political  guidance46. Subjects  of debate include 
particularly  the  parliamentary  control  on  the  Prosecutor  General  and  whether  instructions 
should be issued by one Prosecutor General or by senates of three prosecutors as proposed by 
the  expert  group47.  It  is  important  that  the  reform  takes  into  account  European  standards 
regarding  the  independence  and  accountability  of  the  prosecution  service48.  As  regards 
to  Council  of  Europe 
parliamentary  control, 
recommendations,  regular  reporting  should  not  extend  to  an  obligation  to  report  to  the 
Parliament on the details of individual cases49. In view of the absence of political agreement so 
far to take a reform forward, no further progress has been made on the recommendation made 
in the 2022 Rule of Law Report.  

it  should  be  noted 

that  according 

Legislative amendments to further reduce reporting obligations for prosecutors remain 
under preparation at the level of the Ministry of Justice. The legislative amendments to the 
Public Prosecutor’s Act, which would limit ‘information reporting’ obligations for prosecutors 
ahead of major procedural steps, considered to be particularly burdensome by prosecutors50, 
remain under preparation in the Ministry of Justice, as they are part of a larger reform package 
related to criminal procedure that is pending internal finalisation51. In March 2023, GRECO 
recommended  to  Austria  to  ensure  the  operational  independence  of  the  Central  Public 
Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption (WKStA), including by 
revising the use of regular reporting to the Ministry of Justice52. Based on the reporting, the 
Ministry  of  Justice  can  issue  instructions  to  the  prosecution  and  it  gave  instructions  in 
individual cases in 13 instances in 202253. The draft annual Report on instructions for 2021 is 

42   Final Report of the expert group, p. 24.  
43   This model was chosen to create a broad basis for the decision on instructions (as is the case in courts deciding 
in senates) but also to increase public acceptance and the guarantees of well-founded decision-making. Final 
report of the expert group, pp. 28-29.  
44   Final Report of the expert group, p. 20.  
45   Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 3-4. 
46   Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Austria.  
47   Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 3-4. 
48   See in particular Recommendation CM/Rec(2000)19 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe 
on the Role of Public Prosecution in the Criminal Justice System and Venice Commission (CDLAD(2010)040-
e), Report on European Standards as regards the Independence of the Judicial System: Part II - the Prosecution 
Service. 

49   Venice Commision Opinion CDL-AD(2022)032 on Bulgaria, para. 23.  
50   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 6.  
51   Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Austria.  
52   GRECO Fifth Evaluation Round – Evaluation Report – recommendation xii, para. 140.  
53   As of 12 June 2023, 11 instructions in individual cases had been issued in 2023. Information received from 
the Council of Directives in the context of the country visit to Austria and written contribution from Austria 
for the 2023 Rule of Law Report. There was one case in 2022 where the Ministry of Justice did not fully follow 
the non-binding opinion of the Council of Directives, but it did not concern an instruction in an individual 
case. The  Council of Directives is an independent advisory council  for the Minister of Justice tasked  with 
providing  a  non-binding  opinion  on  all  instructions  in  individual  cases  (as  well  as  certain  other  types  of 

7 

 
                                                           
expected to be completed by the Federal Ministry of Justice by the end of June 2023 and will 
subsequently be presented to Parliament and published.  

Discussions on a reform of the system for the evaluation of judges continue. As noted in 
the 2022 Rule of Law Report54, a pilot project was conducted in 2022 to test a new system of 
periodic evaluations (in parallel to the regular evaluations). It has now been concluded55. While 
the pilot showed some benefits as the new evaluation system appears to be more focussed on 
providing concrete feedback, it also revealed that the system is resource-intensive. A survey 
among  judges  in  2022  had  found  resistance  against  introducing  such  a  new  system56. 
Discussions between the Ministry of Justice and stakeholders continue, with no concrete further 
steps  taken  at  this  stage57.  As  regards  administrative  courts,  concerns  continue  to  be  raised 
about  the  possibility  of  an  automatic  dismissal  or  early  retirement  in  case  of  two  ‘not 
satisfactory’ evaluations in consecutive calendar years58. In a judgment of March 202359, and 
on a referral from the Supreme Administrative Court, the Constitutional Court found that the 
fact  that  the  staff  senates  at  administrative  courts  are  responsible  for  evaluations  is  in 
compliance with the Constitution.  

Quality 

Resources for the judiciary continue to be increased, also at the Federal Finance Court, 
while filling vacancies, including for court staff, is a challenge. The budget for the judiciary 
has  been  further  increased  in  2023,  with  an  additional  EUR  215  million  (11.48%  increase 
compared  to  2022),  intended  in  particular  to  cover  higher  personnel  costs  linked  to  wage 
increases and inflation, and to fill vacant and new positions60. This increase has been broadly 
welcomed by stakeholders61. At the Federal Finance Court, where specific challenges had been 
identified in past Reports62, a significant number of vacancies has been filled, with currently 
200 of 224 judges’ positions filled and a call for applications for 16 further posts launched63. 

instructions) before they are issued. § 29 b-c, Law on Prosecutors. See also 2020 Rule of Law Report, Country 
Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 4.  

54   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 7.  
55   Information received from the Ministry of Justice and the Austrian Association of Judges in the context of the 

country visit to Austria. 

56   Information received from the Austrian Association of Judges in the context of the country visit to Austria.  
57   Information received from the Ministry of Justice and the Austrian Association of Judges in the context of the 

country visit to Austria.  

58   Contribution from the Association of European Administrative Judges (Austria), p. 16 and 18. This evaluation 
(nicht entsprechend) is the lowest grade on the five grade scale. Evaluations in consecutive years only take 
place if there is an evaluation below ‘very good’. Service Act on Judges and Prosecutors, § 88. If the judge 
does not comply with a request for this automatic retirement, the relevant service court will be seized on the 
matter, see Service Act on Judges and Prosecutors, § 92. See 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on 
the rule of law situation  

59   Judgment by the Constitutional Court of 07 March 2023, G 282-283/2022.  
60   Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 7. Overall, 122 additional posts were allocated in the 
judiciary in 2022 (this includes 4 posts at the Data Protection Authority and 10 in correctional institutions). 
Written contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit.  

61   Contribution  from  Austrian  Association  of  Judges  for  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  12.  Information 
received i.a. from the Association of Judges and the Association of Prosecutors in the context of the country 
visit to Austria.  

62   Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 8.  
63   This figure includes 1 legal assistant working on a judges’ posts. 18 judges are expected to retire in 2023. The 
additional appointments are planned for the first quarter of 2024. Written contribution from the Ministry of 
Justice in the context of the country visit.  

8 

 
                                                           
As regards court staff, a call for up to 20 legal assistants is planned for 2023 considering that, 
currently, the overall number remains low compared to the number of judges64. However, all 
vacancies  at  the  Finance  Court  have  to  be  authorised  by  the  Minister  of  Finance  before 
publication, even if a budget has been allocated, which can lead to delays65. Stakeholders report 
difficulties to fill open vacancies for judges as well as to recruit qualified court staff, after such 
positions had seen significant cuts under previous Governments66, citing overall issues of the 
attractiveness of the profession and salaries67.  

The implementation of the ‘Justice 3.0’ project for the roll-out of electronic files continues 
to  advance.  The  level  of  digitalisation  of  justice  in  Austria  is  overall  very  advanced,  with 
comprehensive procedural  rules allowing digital  technology in  courts, though these are less 
developed for administrative cases68. The roll-out of the ‘Justice 3.0’ digitalisation project to 
introduce the electronic file continues. As of June 2023, the move to electronic files has been 
concluded in 138 civil and criminal courts and 17 prosecution offices69, and certain types of 
proceedings  at  the  Supreme  Court  and  General  Procurator’s  Office  are  also  conducted 
completely digitally70. By the end of 2023, the aim is to have civil and criminal proceedings 
fully digitalised, while by 2025 all new cases should be fully conducted digitally. However, 
administrative  courts  do  not  participate  in  this  project  and  instead  follow  individual 
digitalisation  projects.  While  the  regional  administrative  courts  exchange  best  practices, 
challenges exist, linked to diverging systems used as well as the format in which documents 
are received from public authorities71. 

Concerns  continue  to  be  raised  over  the  lack  of  a  cap  on  court  fees.  As  a  result  of  the 
legislative amendments to reduce certain court fees adopted in April 202272, the legally planned 
adjustment of court fees when the inflation rate is above 5%, which had  been postponed in 
2022, is expected to take place in 202373. While in 2022 the weight of the revenue from court 
fees  in  relation  to  the  judiciary’s  budget  was  at  less  than  100%,  it  remains  overall  high74. 

64   Currently, 52 out of 56 court staff positions are filled. Written contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the 

context of the country visit to Austria.  

65   Contribution from the Association of European Administrative Judges (Austria), p. 17.  
66   In this respect, see the 2019 Report by the Ministry of Justice, Measures for a modern and high-quality justice 

system, 2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 5.  

67   Information  received  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Austria.  See  in  this  respect  Recommendation 

CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, para. 35.  

68   Figure 41, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard. Digital solutions  to initiate and  follow proceedings are also  well-
developed in civil and commercial as well as criminal cases, but this is less the case for administrative cases. 
Figures 45-46, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard.  

69   Out of the 139 district, regional and higher regional courts of the ordinary court system and the 20 prosecution 

offices.   

70   More  than  750 000  files  were  processed  exclusively  digitally  and  more  than  200 000  hearings  were  held 
digitally.  Over  500  courtrooms  are  equipped  and  available  for  conducting  hearings  digitally.  Input  from 
Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 8 and updated provided by the Ministry of Justice in the context 
of the country visit to Austria.  

71   Information received from Association of Austrian Administrative Judges and the Regional Administrative 

Courts in the context of the country visit to Austria.  

72   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 9.  
73   As foreseen in §31a of the Court Fees Act. Information received by the Ministry of Justice in the context of 

the country visit to Austria.  

74   The major part of court fees (around 80% in the recent years) results from services provided by automated 
registers (mainly land and business registers). In 2022, 81% (and in 2021, 83%) of the judiciary’s expenditure 
(including detention facilities) were covered by revenues from court fees. Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule 
of Law Report, p. 7 and written contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit.  

9 

 
                                                           
However, stakeholders continue to raise concerns over the absence of a cap on court fees75 in 
mid- and high-value cases, which could affect access to justice76. While the Ministry of Justice 
has  evaluated  this  matter  comprehensively,  it  has  not  been  taken  forward  for  budgetary 
reasons77. 

Efficiency 

The justice system continues to perform well in terms of overall efficiency, with further 
improvements in administrative cases. As regards litigious civil and commercial cases, the 
average time to  resolve them has decreased, after a slight increase in the previous  year and 
remains overall very low (135 days in 2021 compared to 156 days in 2020)78, with an improved 
clearance  rate  at  103.7%  (99.8%  in  2020)79.  The  number  of  pending  litigious  civil  and 
commercial cases remains low (0.4 cases per 100 inhabitants), showing that the justice system 
overall handles its caseload efficiently80. Concerning administrative cases, the positive trend 
already  identified  in  the  past  two  Rule  of  Law  Reports81  continues,  with  the  clearance  rate 
remaining very high (125.2% in 2021 compared to 126% in 202082) and a significant further 
reduction in the average time to resolve administrative cases (312 days in 2021 compared to 
388 days in 202083). In a recent audit, the Court of Audit noted that specifically at the Federal 
Administrative Courts there is still room for improvement as regards lengths of proceedings 
and backlogs84.  

II. 

ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK  

Austria  has  a  National  Anti-Corruption  Strategy,  adopted  in  2018,  and  an  accompanying 
Federal Action Plan 2019-2020. The relevant authorities involved in the prevention of and the 
fight against corruption include the Federal Ministry of Justice and its Coordinating Body for 
the Fight against Corruption, the Central Public Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Economic 
Crimes and Corruption (WKStA), the Federal Ministry of the Interior and its Federal Bureau 
of Anti-Corruption (BAK) and the Criminal Intelligence Service (BK) as well as the Court of 
Audit. The legal framework includes relevant provisions in the Criminal Code and the Code of 
Criminal Procedure as well as specific legislation in the fight against corruption85. 

75   Court fees are calculated as a percentage of the value of the case and, in the absence of a cap on fees, can, 

therefore, be very high in high-value cases. 

76   Contribution from the Austria Bar Association for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 12. Contribution from the 

CCBE for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 11.  

77   Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Austria.  
78   Figure 7, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
79   Figure 11, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
80   Figure 14, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
81   2022 and 2021 Rule of Law Reports, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 9 and p. 8 

respectively.  

82   Figure 12, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
83   Figure 9, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
84   Court of Audit (2023), Report on the Federal Administrative Court.  
85   Relevant legislation includes: the Federal Act on the Establishment and Organisation of the Federal Bureau of 
Anti-Corruption, the Federal Statute on Responsibility of Entities for Criminal Offences and the Federal Act 
on Extradition and Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. See 2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on 
the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 6 and 2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law 
situation in Austria, p. 8-9. 

10 

 
                                                           
The perception among experts and business executives is that the level of corruption in 
the  public  sector  remains  relatively  low.  In  the  2022  Corruption  Perceptions  Index  by 
Transparency International, Austria scores 71/100 and ranks 11th in the European Union and 
22nd globally86. This perception has deteriorated over the past five years87. The 2023 Special 
Eurobarometer on Corruption shows that 60% of respondents consider corruption widespread 
in  their  country  (EU  average  70%)  and  17%  of  respondents  feel  personally  affected  by 
corruption in their daily lives (EU average 24%)88. As regards businesses, 56% of companies 
consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 65%) and 23% consider that that corruption 
is a problem when doing business (EU average 35%)89. Furthermore, 44% of respondents find 
that  there  are  enough  successful  prosecutions  to  deter  people  from  corrupt  practices  (EU 
average 32%)90, while 40% of companies believe that people and businesses caught for bribing 
a senior official are appropriately punished (EU average 30%)91. 

In January 2023, a draft law to extend criminal liability in corruption cases was presented 
by  the  Ministry  of  Justice,  which  stakeholders  welcomed  while  suggesting  further 
amendments. The draft law92, which was sent out for public consultation in January 2023, is 
expected to be tabled in Parliament by the end of June 202393. The draft proposes strengthening 
the  criminal  law  framework.  It  criminalises  the  so-called  purchase  of  political  mandates94, 
extends  criminal  liability  for  bribery  to  also  cover  candidates  for  public  office,  introduces 
higher penalties for corruption offenses, and foresees additional sanctions for certain corruption 
offences such as losing eligibility for office95. Stakeholders have welcomed the draft law as 
addressing  certain  existing  loopholes  and  suggested  further  amendments96.  For  example,  in 
contributions to the stakeholder consultation97, suggestions were made to recommend criminal 

86   Transparency International (2023), Corruption Perceptions Index 2022. The level of perceived corruption is 
categorised as follows: low (the perception among experts and business executives of public sector corruption 
scores above 79); relatively low (scores between 79-60), relatively high (scores between 59-50), high (scores 
below 50).  

87   In 2018 the score was 76, while, in 2022, the score is 71. The score significantly increases/decreases when it 
changes  more  than  five  points;  improves/deteriorates  (changes  between  4-5  points);  is  relatively  stable 
(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years. 

88   Special Eurobarometer 534 on Corruption (2023). The Eurobarometer data on citizens’ corruption perception 
and experience is updated every year. The previous data set is the Special Eurobarometer 523 on Corruption 
(2022). 

89   Flash Eurobarometer 524 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2023). The Eurobarometer 
data  on  business  attitudes  towards  corruption  as  is  updated  every  year.  The  previous  data  set  is  the  Flash 
Eurobarometer 507 (2022). 

90   Special Eurobarometer 534 on Corruption (2023).  
91   Flash Eurobarometer 524 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2023).  
92   Austrian Parliament (2023), Corruption Criminal Law Amendment Act 2023 – KorrStrÄG 2023 (244/ME). 
93   The review period ended on 9 March 2023. The Government has revised the draft according to the outcome 
of the public consultation. Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 18; information received 
from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Austria. 

94   By punishing purchase of political mandates, the provision aims to extend criminal liability to political parties 
(para. 1) and persons (para. 2)  who offer, promise or grant remuneration for  themselves or a third party to 
influence the allocation of a mandate (§ 265a StGB). 
95   Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 18. 
96    In their opinion, the  Association of Austrian Public Prosecutors and the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office 
calls for the inclusion of a broader definition of remuneration in purchase of political mandates, for example 
including intangible services or non-monetary favours, etc. 

97   Transparency  International  Austria,  Association  of  Austrian  Public  Prosecutors  and  Vienna  Public 
Prosecutor's Office (2023) in their opinions on the ministerial draft. Additionally, the Austrian Court of Audit 

11 

 
                                                           
liability even in the case of bribery of unsuccessful candidates (while in the draft the criminal 
liability depends on whether candidates actually become public officials), as well as to address 
criminalisation of candidate corruption also as concerns all transactions performed as part of 
official  duties  not  only  if  such  transactions  are  explicitly  in  breach  of  their  duties),  and 
addressing the purchase of official transactions via payments to charitable institutions.  

The final evaluation report of the 2019-2020 Action Plan accompanying and proposing 
amendments to the National Anti-Corruption Strategy was adopted, and the 2023-2025 
Action Plan is being drafted. The evaluation will serve as a basis for the further development 
of the next action plans98. In order to ensure consistency with the results of the evaluation, a 
strategy  team,  coordinated  by  the  BAK  and  consisting  of  representatives  of  the  Federal 
Chancellery,  the  Federal  Ministry  of  Justice,  the  Federal  Ministry  for  Arts,  Culture,  Civil 
Service and Sport as well as the BAK, amended the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which 
has been sent  out  for comments  to  all participating institutions until  April 202399. The new 
action  plan  for  2023-2025  is  being  prepared100.  The  plan  is  expected  to  be  adopted  by  the 
Government in summer 2023101. In 2022, the BAK continued to run and promote the Network 
of Integrity Officers, providing individual consultancy regarding inquiries received by network 
members102. Following the suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in September 2022 the 
BAK restarted its advanced training courses with 25 participants from various fields of activity 
in the Federal Ministry of the Interior103. 

High-level  corruption  investigations  are  proceeding,  and  prosecutors  experience  high 
scrutiny with regard to specific cases. As already noted in the 2022 Report104, a number of 
high-level  corruption  investigations  are  ongoing  and  have  proceeded  during  the  reporting 
period105. While instances of direct attacks against prosecutors in this context were reported to 
have stopped by early 2022106, public scrutiny remains high, including for prosecutors’ daily 

also gave a contribution to the stakeholder process to the draft law (Corruption Criminal Law Amendment Act 
2023 – KorrStrÄG 2023). 

98   Information  received  from  the  Ministry  of  Justice  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Austria.  The 

Government has committed to publish the report soon. 

99   Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Austria. Three main 
amendments were highlighted by the Ministry of Justice: the duration of the action plan is extended from 2 to 
3 years in order to facilitate the implementation of the findings of the evaluation; Strategy coordinators shall 
be nominated in each ministry, in order to ensure consistency  in responsibility and competence, both for the 
implementation  and  evaluation  of  the  Strategy;  the  new  action  plan  will  include  a  separate  column  on 
performance indicators in order to facilitate the continuous monitoring and final evaluation of the action plan 
itself. 

100  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 12. 
101  Written input from Ministry of Justice following the country visit of Austria. 
102  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 13. 
103  Ibidem. Moreover, in November 2022, the BAK held the autumn conference 2022 of Corruption Prevention 
Officers together with the Compliance Officers of the regional police directorates and the Chief Compliance 
Officer of the Federal Ministry of the Interior. Education and training programs by the Federal Academy of 
Public Administration, focused on measures to enhance integrity in the public sector are also in place. 

104  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 11. 
105  For  example,  the  Annual  Report  of  the  WKStA  summaries  further  steps  in  a  number  of  high-level  cases 
(WKStA (2023), Annual Dialogue 2021-22, press information. See also the press release of the WKStA of 30 
March 2023 on investigative steps taking in the CASAG case group.  

106  Contribution from the Austrian Bar Association for the 2022 Rule of Law Report, p. 11 and Contribution from 
the Austrian Association of Judges for the 2022 Rule of Law Report, p. 11; Austrian Association of Prosecutors 
(2021), Prosecutors react to press conference alleging ‘leftist cells’ in the WKStA. 

12 

 
                                                           
actions with regard to specific cases107. Prosecutors also note that a climate of political mistrust 
in the judiciary prevails108. More generally, the BAK detected 68 potential cases of corruption 
in 2022109 in addition to 638 potential cases of abuse of authority110. Regarding the outcomes 
of criminal proceedings against legal persons for corruption offences, since 2019111 one case 
led  to  conviction  (in  2019),  28  to  indictments  and  31  to  discontinuation  of  investigation 
proceedings. A total of 112 alleged corruption cases against legal persons are reported to be 
pending112.  

The  parliamentary  investigative  committee  on  alleged  corruption  concerning  a 
governmental political party has submitted its final report to the plenary. As reported last 
year113, the committee was set-up in December 2021 and commenced with the first hearings in 
March 2022114. The evidence hearing period ended in February 2023115. On 31 March 2023, 
the committee published a report to be discussed by the plenary of the National Council116. On 
27 April 2023, the National Council unanimously took note of the final report of the committee, 
including  five  parliamentary  group  reports,  thus  concluding  the  work  of  the  parliamentary 
committee. The final report includes recommendations and conclusions, recommending i.a. the 
creation of a Freedom of Information Act and transparent procedures for applications for top 
positions,  as  well  as  the  establishment  of  an  independent  federal  prosecutor's  office  and  a 
cooling  off  period  for  Ministers  to  become  members  of  the  Constitutional  Court117.  

107  Information received from the Association of Prosecutors and Judges Corruption, as well as from the Central 
Public Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption in the context of the country visit 
to Austria. Another point that the WKStA referenced as potentially impacting their work relates to an ongoing 
public  debate  on  the  opportunity  of  reforming  the  seizure  and  evaluation  of  data  for  securing  evidence, 
especially  on  corruption-related  cases. The  public  debate  started  on  the  basis  of  a  recent  study  by  the  Bar 
Association,  with  no  concrete  outcome  so  far  on  the  legislative  level.  Prosecutors  underlined  the  practical 
necessity in investigations to have access to digital data, especially in corruption-related cases, where very few 
witnesses and documents are available, and call for clear regulation allowing the seizure of relevant evidence. 
See Austrian Bar Association (2022), ÖRAK calls for far-reaching reforms in the safeguarding and evaluation 
of data and data carriers.  

108  WKStA (2023), Annual Dialogue 2021-22, press information. Die Presse (2022), President of Prosecutors’ 

Association sees investigative bodies weakened.  

109  2 cases of alleged corruptibility (art. 304 of the Criminal Code), 2 cases of alleged acceptance of an advantage 
(art. 305), 1 case of alleged acceptance of an advantage for the purpose of exerting influence (art. 306) and 7 
cases  of  alleged  bribery  (art.  307),  1  case  of  alleged  offering  an  advantage  (art.  307a),  6  cases  of  alleged 
acceptance of gifts and alleged bribery of employees or agents (art. 309) and 29 cases of alleged breaches of 
official secrecy (art. 310). The remaining 20 alleged cases are divided among the other cases that fall under 
the BAK’s exclusive jurisdiction. Compared to  82 cases in 2020 – see 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country 
Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 11. 
110  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report. 
111  Data refer to the period 01 January 2019 – 23 November 2022. Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law 

Report, pp. 19-20. 

112  Data until 23 November 2022, Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 19-20. 
113  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 11. 
114  Austrian  Parliament  (2021),  Demand  for  the  establishment  of  a  committee  of  inquiry:  ÖVP  corruption 

investigation committee; Austrian Parliament (2021), ÖVP corruption investigation committee. 

115  The  investigative  committee  met  for  a  total  of  48  meetings,  including  Rules  of  Procedure  meetings.  82 
witnesses were interviewed. Several relevant figures were heard, such as former party members, the acting 
Chancellor and former Ministers of Justice and Finance.  

116  Report of the investigative committee regarding the clarification of allegations of corruption against members 

of the ÖVP government.  

117 The report recommends a ‘cooling-off’ period for ministers and for persons with ‘legislative responsibility’ 
who apply to be members of the Constitutional Court. Austrian Parliament (2023), ÖVP corruption inquiry 
committee: National Council takes note of final report.  

13 

 
                                                           
Parliamentary groups’ reports recommend i.a. setting up an absolute maximum limit for state 
advertising  spending,  ensuring  sufficient  resources  for  the  WKStA  and  the  expansion  of 
documentation obligations118. 

Resources of prosecution service for anti-corruption prosecutions are stable. The WKStA 
has  a  total  of  44  prosecutorial  positions119.  In  order  to  properly  address  the  increasing 
complexity of cases, the WKStA relies on a number of financial, business and IT experts120 
and has identified the need for additional resources in this respect. As noted above (see Section 
I), no further legislative  steps have been taken at this  stage to  reduce reporting obligations, 
which remain burdensome specifically for the anti-corruption prosecution. The resources of 
the  BAK  have  remained  largely  stable121.  As  of  December  2022,  the  BAK  has  124 
employees122. Cooperation between prosecution and the police continues smoothly, including 
as regards exchange of data. As for the cooperation with the EPPO, no particular challenge has 
been reported123. 

There has been no progress yet on introducing rules on assets and interests’ disclosure 
for members of Parliament, despite a working group having been set up. The 2022 Rule 
of Law Report recommended to Austria to “introduce effective rules on assets and interests’ 
declaration  for  Members  of  Parliament,  including  effective  monitoring  and  sanctioning 
mechanisms”124. The Code of Conduct for Members of the National Council and Members of 
the Federal Council, which regroups existing legal provisions, remains the main tool to guide 
declarations125. A parliamentary working group was mandated to follow up on the 2022 Rule 
of Law recommendation and has held several meetings to this end. No concrete timeline or 
substantive elements were provided so far126. Beside the Code of Conduct, there are internal 

118  The parliamentary groups’ reports are published together with the report of the investigative committee. 
119 A total of 50 public prosecutors are appointed at the WKStA. Written contribution from the WKStA in the 

context of the country visit to Austria.  

120  Information  received  from  the  Central  Public  Prosecutor’s  Office  for  Combating  Economic  Crimes  and 
Corruption  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Austria.  The  WKStA  also  informed  that  applications 
procedures are ongoing in order to fill additional IT experts’ posts. More specifically, ten economic/business 
experts are working at the WKStA, while ten experts for information technology are working for the Ministry 
of Justice (therefore, they are not employed by the WKStA but the WKStA can request their support). The 
WKStA can eventually rely on external experts if special expertise is needed in an individual case/investigation 
either in the economic or the IT field. Written contribution from the WKStA in the context of the country visit 
to Austria. 

121  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 11. 
122  Ibidem.  In  the  2022  Rule  of  Law  report  the  BAK  declared  103  posts.  Moreover,  compared  to  2021,  the 
expenditure budget of the BAK increased from EUR 9 188 210.24 (actual costs in 2021) to EUR 9 926 000 
(estimate of costs in 2022). 

123  EPPO  contribution  to  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  report  (Overview  of  cooperation  between  the  EPPO  and  EU 

Member States’ authorities).  

124  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 2. 
125  Austrian  Parliament  (2021),  Code  of  Conduct  for  Members  of  the  National  Council  and  Members  of  the 
Federal Council. 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 13. 
126  Ibidem. In September 2022 the recommendation was discussed by the President’s Conference of the National 
Council (formed by the three Presidents of the National Council and the chairpersons of all parliamentary 
groups). The President’s Conference subsequently instructed a parliamentary  working group (consisting  of 
officials  of  both  the  parliamentary  groups  and  the  parliamentary  administration)  to  follow-up  on  the 
recommendation in more detail. Within this working group, the recommendation was discussed in meetings 
on 15 September, 6 October and 29 November 2022,  and the latest meeting was in February 2023. Future 
meetings  are  foreseen  but  no  timeline  is  known  yet.  The  working  group  is  not  exclusively  focused  on 
following-up on the recommendation.  

14 

 
                                                           
guidelines for members of Parliament on the existing legal provisions in relation to gifts and 
other advantages and the Annex 1 to the Code of Conduct contributes to guiding members of 
Parliament on reporting requirements pursuant  to the  Incompatibility  and Transparency Act 
(i.e. gifts’ declarations)127. In view of the absence of more concrete results,  no progress has 
been made yet on the recommendation in the 2022 Rule of Law Report. 

Lobbying legislation remains limited in scope, and political agreement is outstanding to 
address this issue. Both GRECO128 and stakeholders129 have been underlining the need for a 
reform of the current regulation on lobbying for several years. As reported in previous Rule of 
Law Reports130, the legislation of lobbying dates back to 2013 and its scope is limited131. No 
follow-up has been given to the outcome of a working group on the lobby register132 of the 
Federal Ministry of Justice since the conclusion of its work in August 2021133 as no agreement 
has been reached at a political level on further steps134. Civil society organisations qualify the 
existing framework as poor, in particular regarding sanctions and controls135. As highlighted 
also by GRECO in 2023136, the Court of Audit conducted an audit on lobbying in 2019, which 
identified  loopholes  in  the  system,  notably  the  limited  range  of  information  disclosed  in 
registry137, lack of supervision and enforcement.  

The introduction of rules to address “revolving doors” and post-employment provisions 
for  members  of  Government  or  Parliament  has  not  advanced.  As  already  reported  in 
previous years138, no further steps have been made on the legislative proposal introducing a 
three-year cooling-off period for members of Government  who  aim to  become members or 
alternate members of the Constitutional Court. The proposal is part of a Transparency Package 
on  which  political  consensus  has  not  been  reached  so  far  (see  Section  3)139.  The  Federal 
Chancellery  had  indicated  that  it  intends  to  present  a  revised  draft  by  end  of  June  2023140. 

127  Information received from the Parliamentary Administration in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
128  GRECO Fifth Evaluation Round Report, recommendation vi, para 87; GRECO Fourth Evaluation Round – 
Interim  Compliance  Report,  recommendations  ii,  paras.  13-17  and  GRECO  Fourth  Evaluation  Round  – 
Second Interim Compliance Report, recommendations ii, paras. 13-17. 

129  Information received from Antikorruptionsbegehren and Transparency International Austria in the context of 

the country visit to Austria. 

130  2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law  situation in Austria, p. 9; 2021 Rule of Law 
Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 12; 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country 
Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 14. 

131  Only Specialist Lobbying Companies, In-House-Lobbyists, Self-Governing Bodies and interest groups have 

to register and single contacts do not have to be reported as stated in 2020 Rule of Law Report, p. 9. 

132  2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 12. The working group 

was set up in 2020.  

133  Information received from the Court of Audit in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
134  Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
135  Information  received  from  Transparency  International  Austria  and  the  Forum  Informationsfreiheit  in  the 
context of the country visit to Austria. Transparency International Austria (2022), TI press release – Lobbying 
rules of the game for politics. 

136 GRECO Fifth Evaluation Round Report, recommendation vi, para 85. 
137 For example, no publicity requirement is foreseen for contracts with lobbyists, only accessible to senior level 

officials. 

138  2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, pp. 8-9; 2021 Rule of Law 
Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 11; 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country 
Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 14. 

139  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 14.  
140  Contribution from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report. 

15 

 
                                                           
Overall, as highlighted by GRECO141, beside the specific provisions of constitutional law142, 
there is no post-employment restriction for ministers and state secretaries143, nor an effective 
supervision mechanism regarding these rules is in place, therefore revolving doors provisions 
remain very limited.  

An  important  reform  of  the  political  party  financing  framework  has  been  adopted, 
reinforcing the role of the Court of Audit. The 2022 Rule of Law Report recommended to 
Austria to “finalise the legislative revision of the political party financing rules including to 
empower the Austrian Court of Audit (ACA) to audit political party finances”144. Amendments 
to the Parliamentary Groups Funding Act were adopted by Parliament in July 2022 and entered 
into force on 1 January  2023145. The amended legislation prohibits  parliamentary  groups to 
accept donations (including payments and benefits in kind, as well as living subsidies), with 
the exception of specific provisions146. A new obligation requiring the parties to provide their 
statutes in the public party register is set to enter into force in January 2024147. According to 
the new regime, the definition of “party affiliated organisation” has been extended in order to 
cover  indirect  connections148.  Moreover,  the  National  Council  adopted  amendments  to  the 
Political Parties’ Act in July 2022, which aims at increasing the transparency of political party 
financing149,  and  strengthening  the  role  and  tasks  of  the  ACA,  as  independent  external 
auditor150. In particular, the audit rights of the ACA for parties’ statements of accounts have 
been extended for cases where the declarations appear incorrect or incomplete and to allow it 
to investigate suspicions independently of the statements of account151. Overall, civil society 
welcomed the reinforced role of the ACA, however stressing the lack of criminal sanctions to 
punish misconduct and the absence of provisions regarding disclosure before the elections of 
campaign  financing152.  In  light  of  the  important  steps  taken,  the  2022  recommendation  to 
finalise the revision of the political party financing rules and empower the Court of Audit has 
been fully implemented.  

141 GRECO Fifth Evaluation Round Report, recommendation ix, paras 122-126. 
142 Former members of government are excluded from certain positions for five years, such as in the Supreme 
Court, the Administrative Courts, the Supreme Administrative Court as well as the Constitutional Court. 
143  Secretaries  general  and  ministerial  advisors  are  subject  to  the  rule  of  the  Civil  Service  Employment  Act. 
Notably, for a period of six months, which in any case does not apply to s does not apply to ministers and state 
secretaries. As underlined by GRECO (p. 34), six months is a very short cooling-off period, considering that 
most GRECO members establish longer cool-off periods for PTEF (generally two years). 

144  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 2. 
145  Federal  Law  Gazette  for  the  Republic  Of  Austria  (2022).  Federal  Act  amending  the  Federal  Act  on  the 
Financing of Political Parties (Parties Act 2012 – PartG), the Media Act and the Constitutional Court Act 1953 
(VfGG). Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 16.  

146  Specific circumstances include e.g. particular contributions and funds granted under the Parliamentary Groups 
Funding Act itself, membership fees, and funds by political parties and other non-discriminatory public funds. 
Apart from what mentioned, the acceptance of donations is generally limited to the value of EUR 150 (cf. sec. 
5a of the Parliamentary Groups Funding Act, Federal Law Gazette I no. 142/2022).  

147  Amendment of the Federal Act on the Financing of Political Parties (§ 1(4)). Information received from the 

Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Austria. 

148  Amendment of the Federal Act on the Financing of Political Parties (§ 2). 
149  Federal Act on the Financing of Political Parties (Political Parties Act 2012  – PartG) was amended by the 

federal law published on 27 July 2022 (Federal Law Gazette I 125/2022). 

150  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law report, p. 16.  
151  Previously,  the  ACA  could  only  commission  an  independent  auditor  (chartered  accountant)  to  review  the 
figures in such cases. §10, Political Parties Act. See also, Austrian Parliament (2023), How and by whom is 
party financing controlled.  

152  Information received from the Forum Informationsfreiheit in the context of the country visit to Austria. 

16 

 
                                                           
The  amendments  to  the  Political  Parties’  Act  increase  possibilities  to  request  special 
audits by the Court of Audit. On 1 January 2023, revised provisions entered into force that 
allow MPs to request special audits to the ACA153. According to the new rules, such audits can 
still be requested by at least 20 MPs, and in case a parliamentary group consists of less than 20 
members, the parliamentary group itself can submit the request if all the members agree154. The 
limitation to a maximum three ongoing special audits is removed, although a limitation on the 
number  of  request  that  MPs  can  submit  is  in  place155.  To  properly  fulfil  the  new  tasks,  the 
ACA’s budget was increased, thus enabling the Court to employ additional staff: the annual 
budget for 2023 amounts to EUR 42.4 million156. The ACA considers that the current staff and 
budget provisions allow it to satisfactory carry out its tasks157.  

The  law  aiming  at  transposing  the  Whistleblowers  Directive  was  adopted,  and  a  web-
based reporting system is being tested. The law aiming at transposing the Whistleblowers 
Directive was adopted on 16 February 2023158. Civil society points to possible difficulties to 
interpret  the  scope  of  legislation  that  falls  under  whistleblower  protection,  in  order  and  to 
understand whether the content of a whistleblower report is covered by the framework, and 
therefore whether protection is granted159. The Federal Ministry of Justice plans to go live with 
the  web-based  whistleblowers  system  by  mid-July  2023,  no  later  than  the  statutory 
implementation deadline of 26 August 2023160. The BAK will act as single authority competent 
to receive reports and statistics; the system is expected to be fully operational by August 2023. 
The  WKStA  manages  its  own  online  whistleblower  reporting  tool,  which  is  reported  to  be 
working well161. Coordination between the existing channel of the WKStA and the new one 
established under the BAK remains to be clarified162.  

153  The regulations on the possibility to request special audits by the Court of Audit are laid down in § 99 of the 

Rules of Procedure of the National Council. 

154  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 32. Moreover, members of Parliament will be able to 
support another demand for a special audit once the Court of Audit will have delivered its report or after 24 
months will have passed. 

155 An MP can only support one request for an audit at a time and no new ones until the audit is completed (or in 
the 24 months after submission of the request, if the analysis takes longer) (BGBl. Nr. 410/1975, § 99).  
156  The annual budget of the ACA, which is adopted by the National Council, amounted to EUR 37.4 million in 

2022.  

157  Information received from ACA in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
158  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 17. To be noted that at the level of the Federal provinces 
(Länder), the adoption of legislative measures aiming to transpose the Whistleblower-Directive was finalized 
in 2022.  

159  Information received from Transparency International Austria and Forum Informationsfreiheit in the context 
of the country visit to Austria. The complexity of the text has been also underlined by opposition parties. They 
also consider that due to the complex wording, there are uncertainties regarding the scope of application of the 
law,  and  it  would  be  therefore  difficult  to  determine  whether  a  reference  would  fall  within  the  scope  of 
protection  of  the  law  (Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  Electoral  reform:  Federal  Council  does  not  object  to 
National Council decision). 

160  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 17. As of October 2022, the introductory page of the 
electronic  whistleblower  system  had  been  accessed  over  827  111  times.  See  consolidated  Federal  Law  on 
Whistleblower protection.   

161 In the period 20 March 2013 – 28 February 2023, the reporting tool of the WKStA registered a total of 14640 

cases, of which 13411 of unknown identity. WKStA (2023), WKStA Report on online reporting tool.  

162  Information  received  from  the  Central  Public  Prosecutor’s  Office  for  Combating  Economic  Crimes  and 

Corruption in the context of the country visit to Austria. 

17 

 
                                                           
The National Council discussed the citizens’ initiative “Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption 
Referendum” in February 2023. As reported last year163, civil society introduced a request 
for  a  popular  initiative164  on  the  topic  of  corruption.  As  it  reached  the  100 000  signatures 
required for discussion in Parliament, a first reading in the plenary of the National Council took 
place  in  September  2022.  The  Justice  Committee  of  the  National  Council  started  the 
preliminary  deliberation  in  October  2022  and  a  resulting  report  was  discussed  during  the 
plenary  in  February  2023165.  Although  a  number  of  demands  included  in  the  initiative  are 
already  being  addressed166,  the  opposition  criticised  the  prolonged  stagnation  of  other 
important  reforms167.  The  initiative  calls  for  strengthening  the  rule  of  law,  as  well  as  for 
enhancing transparent procedures on public procurement and on lobbying legislation168. Civil 
society commented positively on the increased public awareness about the topic of corruption 
among  the  general  public  as  a  result  of  the  initiative,  as  well  as  the  momentum  for  recent 
legislative changes169.  

III.  MEDIA PLURALISM AND MEDIA FREEDOM 

The right to freedom of expression and the duty, incumbent on state authorities, to grant access 
to  information,  are  enshrined  in  the  Constitution170.  However,  a  general  right  to  access 
documents does not exist in Austria. The Austrian Communications Authority (KommAustria) 
serves as independent regulator for audiovisual media services; its administrative body is the 
Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR)171 172.  

163  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 15.  
164  The popular initiative (Volksbegehren) is a form of legislative proposals by citizens. The initiative on “Rule 
of Law and Anti-Corruption” was opened up for signatures of the wider population in May 2022, following a 
registration phase. The popular initiative calls for reforms on integrity in politics, strengthening the rule of law 
and  the  independence  of  the  judiciary  or  the  investigative  and  control  authorities,  a  comprehensive  anti-
corruption  and  transparency  legislation  as  well  as  freedom  of  the  press,  media  promotion  and  against 
advertising corruption. On 19 January 2023, the Justice Committee of the National Council dealt with the 72 
demands of the initiatives. As mentioned in the input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 20 and 
on AntiKorruptionsvolksbegehren.at, the initiative asks for constitutional independence for the Central Public 
Prosecutor’s  Office  for  Combating  Economic  Crimes  and  Corruption  (WKStA)  and  the  introduction  of  a 
Federal Public Prosecutor's Office. 

165  Information received from Antikorruptionsbegehren in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
166  The opposition refer to the criminalisation of the so-called purchase of political mandates. 
167  The  opposition  insisted  to  carry  out  reforms  on  long  outstanding  issues  such  as  an  independent  federal 
prosecutor (Austrian Parliament (2023), Rule of Law & Anti-Corruption Referendum: Debate on Reforms). 
168  Anti-corruption  Referendum  (2023),  Rule  of  Law  &  Anticorruption  claims.  The  Flash  Eurobarometer  on 
Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU shows that 17% of companies in Austria (EU average 26%) 
think that corruption has prevented them from winning a public tender or a public procurement contract in 
practice  in  the  last  three  years.  This  is  9  percentage  point  below  the  EU  average.  Procurement  was  also 
identified as a particular area of corruption-related risks by the Specialised Prosecution Service for Economic 
Crime and Corruption in the context of the country visit to Austria.  

169  Ibidem. Notably, the reform of the political party financing framework and the government draft law for the 

reform of the criminal law on corruption.  

170  Article 13 of the Fundamental State Law; Article 20(4) of the Federal Constitutional Law. Both laws have 

constitutional rank. 

171  The  RTR  is  a  non-profit  state-owned  company,  which  among  other  things  operationally  supports 

KommAustria.  

172  Austria ranks 29th in the 2023 Reporters without Borders World Press Freedom Index compared to 31st in the 

previous year. 

18 

 
                                                           
The media regulator continues to function independently. There have been no changes in 
the legal framework concerning the independent authority KommAustria since last year’s Rule 
of Law Report173. The regulator currently considers its resources to be sufficient, but notes that 
potential  new  tasks  following  from  EU  legislation,  notably  the  Terrorist  Content  Online 
Regulation and the Digital Services Act, could imply significant additional needs; it indicates 
that  it  expects  to  receive  such  additional  resources  if  needed174.  A  draft  law  which  was 
presented  in  November  2022  already  provides  for  more  human  and  financial  resources  for 
KommAustria and its administrative body RTR for the fulfilment of additional tasks under the 
Terrorist  Content  Online  Regulation175.  Nearly  all  print  media  participate  in  the  oversight 
system of the Press Council, the self-regulatory body for print media 176. 

A new draft law on funding of quality journalism in print and online media increases the 
amount  of  funding  and  widens  the  scope  of  beneficiaries  while  a  new  law  adopted  by 
Parliament  which  partly  transforms  the  Wiener  Zeitung  into  a  medium  focused  on 
training and education has drawn criticism. The Government draft for a law on funding of 
quality journalism, which passed the committee stage in Parliament in April 2023, provides for 
annual funding of EUR 20 million, based on the number of journalists and on special criteria 
like  regional  coverage;  additionally,  training  facilities  and  institutions  that  promote  media 
literacy as well as self-regulatory bodies are supported177. It has been criticised, however, for 
not requiring recipients of funding to participate in the oversight system of the Press Council 
or  to  prove  adherence  to  ethical  standards;  nonetheless,  the  presence  of  quality  assurance 
systems can lead to increased funding178. The financial support for the Press Council has not 
been  substantially  increased  since  2009179  and  the  new  law  would  not  change  this.  To 
compensate, inter alia, for inflation the Press Council indicated its funding would need to be 
almost doubled to allow for stable operation180. The new law would create a reserve in case of 
funds unused for individual media which the regulator can use for supporting the Press Council, 
but  no  certain  increase  corresponding  to  the  cited  needs  is  envisaged181.  With  another  law, 
which was adopted by Parliament in April 2023, the Government also wants to contribute to 
the promotion of quality journalism and innovation in the media by establishing the Media Hub 
Austria, funded with EUR 6 million, as part of a state-owned company182. The Media Hub shall 

173  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 16. See also 2023 Media 

Pluralism Monitor, Country report Austria, pp. 12-13. 

174  Information received from KommAustria in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
175  Article 2 of the draft law for the fight against the distribution of terrorist content online. 
176  The only newspaper which has been cited not to be member of the Press Council is the tabloid Kronen Zeitung, 

which, however, is the Austrian newspaper with the highest circulation. 

177  Draft Law on the promotion of quality journalism. The current funding amounts to EUR 8.7 million and does 
not extend to online-only media, see Austrian RTR, Overview over the 2022 funding decisions, and the Press 
Funding Law 2004. 

178  Presseclub Concordia (2022), Opinion on the draft law on quality journalism and on transparency of media 
cooperation and funding, p. 3; Information received from the Press Council in the context of the country visit 
to Austria; §§ 4, 5 of the draft law. 

179  In 2009, § 12a was introduced into the Press Funding Law, which provides for an annual support of EUR 0.15 
million to a representative self-regulatory facility for print media. In 2022, the Press Council received EUR 
173,000, see RTR, Overview over the 2022 funding decisions. 

180  Information received from the Press Council in the context of the country visit to Austria: the amount should 

be increased by EUR 100 000 to 150 000. 

181  Information received from the Federal Government in the context of the country visit to Austria; § 21 of the 

draft law on quality journalism. 

182 Written contribution from the Federal Government in the context of the country visit to Austria; §§ 4, 10(1) 

No. 3 of the law on the Wiener Zeitung. 

19 

 
                                                           
provide training programmes for journalists and support for media founders183. The law also 
partly transforms one of Austria’s oldest newspapers, the Wiener Zeitung (which is currently 
owned by the Government and serves also as official gazette but is editorially independent184) 
into a medium focused on training and education and publishing mainly online185. In addition, 
as has been the case since 2020, the state-owned company will also host a ‘content agency’ 
responsible for providing information of public interest in a comprehensible manner and for 
creating media products, such as newsletters, for the  Federal Government and Government-
owned enterprises186. Some stakeholders had criticised the draft law for bringing journalistic 
training under the control of the Chancellery and for mixing the education of journalists with 
public  relations  for  the  Government187.  The  legislative  text  that  was  adopted,  however, 
establishes  that  the  Media  Hub  shall  provide  an  ‘independent  and  future-oriented  practice 
programme’ for journalists188. 

Some progress has been made regarding the allocation of state advertising with a new law 
increasing its transparency, but the issue of fairness has not been addressed.  The 2022 
Rule of Law Report recommended to Austria to “[r]eform the framework for the allocation of 
state advertising by public authorities at all levels, in particular to improve the fairness and 
transparency  of  its  distribution”189.  In  2022,  the  public  authorities  in  Austria  spent 
EUR 201 million  for  advertising  (10  percent  less  than  the  previous  year),  of  which 
EUR 29.6 million were paid to one media group190. Stakeholders consider this to constitute a 
risk for media independence191. In April 2023, Parliament adopted a new law on transparency 
of media cooperation and funding192. It abolishes the threshold of EUR 5 000 which currently 
exempts public authorities that spend less than this amount per quarter from disclosing their 
advertising spending193. With the new law, the threshold of EUR 5 000 serves instead to trigger 
additional transparency obligations, and if a further threshold of EUR 150 000 per contract is 
surpassed the public authority must publish a report on its website describing, among others, 
why the advertising contributed to cover the public’s need for information194. However, despite 
the concerns expressed in this regard in the previous Rule of Law reports195, the reform does 
not introduce any changes to increase fairness in the allocation of state advertising; there is also 

183  See § 4 of the law on the Wiener Zeitung. 
184  § 1 of the editorial statute of the Wiener Zeitung. 
185  See § 3 of the law on the Wiener Zeitung. 
186  See § 8 of the law on the Wiener Zeitung. 
187  See Presseclub Concordia (2022), Opinion on the draft law on the Wiener Zeitung; information received from 
Presseclub  Concordia  and  the  Press  Council  during  the  country  visit;  Reporters  without  Borders  (2022), 
‘Appeal’ against draft law on the Wiener Zeitung. 

188  See § 4(2) of the law on the Wiener Zeitung. 
189  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 2. 
190  Data  from  the  RTR,  cited  by  Der  Standard  (2023),  Nehammer  administration  paid  advertising  for  EUR 
28.9 million;  2023  Media  Pluralism  Report,  Country  report  Austria,  p.  20,  confirms  the  number  of  EUR 
201 million and says the biggest beneficiaries would be the ORF, popular and free daily newspapers, Google 
and Facebook.  

191  Contribution from Presseclub Concordia for the 2022 Rule of Law Report, p. 16; Information received from 

the Press Council in the context of the country visit to Austria.  

192  Law to amend the law on transparency of media cooperation and funding. 
193  Information received from the Federal Government in the context of the country visit to Austria; Amendment 

of § 2(4) of the law on transparency of media cooperation and funding according to the new law.  

194  Information received from the Federal Government in the context of the country visit to Austria; Amendment 

of § 2(1b) of the law on transparency of media cooperation and funding according to the new law.  

195  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 17, with reference to the 

previous editions. 

20 

 
                                                           
no  cap  for  advertising  spending  in  favour  of  a  certain  media  outlet196.  Consequently,  some 
progress has been made on the recommendation made in the 2022 Rule of Law Report. 

There have been no changes in the legal framework concerning transparency of media 
ownership.  The  Media  Law  requires  periodic  media  providers  (including  providers  of 
websites) to disclose all their direct or indirect shareholders, including the percentages of shares 
and voting rights197. The media market concentration remains high198; the market share of the 
top four news media owners across different media markets amounts to 62%, among the online 
news media outlets this number is lower at 46%199. 

The institutional set-up of the public service media has been criticised by stakeholders for 
being vulnerable to politicisation and a constitutional complaint is pending regarding the 
composition of the Foundation Council. The institutional set-up of the public service media 
provider ORF has not changed200, and concerns continue to be raised by stakeholders on the 
composition  of  the  governing  Foundation  Council  according  to  the  political  majorities201. 
Stakeholders presented some recent events as illustrating the risks of politicisation of the public 
broadcaster. In November 2022, the editor-in-chief of the news department of ORF resigned 
because  chats  between  him  and  the  then-vice-chancellor  caused  the  perception  that  he  was 
receptive to the politician’s ideas regarding staff allocation202. In February 2023, the director 
of the ORF studio of the Lower Austria region resigned over accusations that he influenced the 
news coverage in favour of the regional governor and the ruling party in the region during his 
time as editor-in-chief203. Regional directors are appointed by the Foundation Council upon a 
proposal  of  the  Director  General  who  in  turn  is  also  appointed  by  the  Foundation  Council. 
Nonetheless  it  should  be  noted  that,  in  both  cases,  the  resignations  were  pushed  for  by  the 
editorial offices which enjoy statutorily guaranteed independence204. The Constitutional Court 
is  expected  to  rule  this  year  on  the  constitutionality  of  the  composition  of  the  Foundation 
Council  upon  a  complaint  by  the  Government  of  the  Burgenland  region205.  New  editorial 
regulations which are in force since 1 July 2022 strengthen the position of the journalists of the 
ORF vis-à-vis their superiors206. Following a judgment of the Constitutional Court which found 

196  Information  received  from  the  Federal  Government  and  from  Presseclub  Concordia  in  the  context  of  the 

country visit to Austria; Law to amend the law on transparency of media cooperation and funding. 

197  § 25 of the Media Act. The 2023 Media Pluralism Monitor, Country report Austria, p. 16, mentions, however, 

that ‘information on the ultimate ownership structures of media companies is not generally available’. 

198  According to the Media Pluralism Monitor 2023, Country report Austria, p. 15, this is partly due to merger 

laws having been ineffective for decades. 

199  2023 Media Pluralism Monitor, Country report Austria, p. 15. 
200  See for that set-up 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 18. 
201  Contribution from Presseclub Concordia for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 17; Der Standard (2022), ORF 
Foundation Council: That’s how we are (commentary of a former member of the Foundation Council); 2022 
Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 18. According to European 
Parliament’s Flash Eurobarometer: News & Media Survey 2022, p. 37, 56% of respondents in Austria stated 
that they trust public TV and radio stations, above the EU average of 49%. 

202  See ORF (2022), ORF editor-in-chief Schroms resigns.  
203  See Kurier (2023), ORF editors’ council ‚relieved‘ after resignation of Ziegler.  
204  §  32 of  the  Law  on  the  ORF  obliges  the  ORF  to  respect  the  independence  of  the  staff  responsible  for  the 

programme. 

205  Preview of the Austrian Constitutional Court for the first semester of 2023, case G 215/2022. Burgenland is 

one of the nine provinces of Austria. 

206  According to § 9(4) of the statute, three independent complaints against a superior can lead to the editors’ 
assembly to express a denial of trust against that superior, which can be followed by a recommendation by the 
ethics council whether to keep that superior. The ultimate decision lies with the Director General. 

21 

 
                                                           
the current financing system to be unconstitutional207, the Government has announced that the 
ORF will be financed by a household fee as of 1 January 2024 (instead of a fee for only those 
with TV and radio sets as is currently the case) which is expected to be considerably lower than 
the current fee208. In turn, the ORF had to commit to make savings of EUR 325 million 209. 

While consultations have continued, no progress has been made related to the freedom of 
information law. The 2022 Rule of Law Report recommended to Austria to “[a]dvance with 
the  reform  on  access  to  official  information  taking  into  account  the  European  standards  on 
access to official documents”210. As reported already in the two previous Rule of Law Reports, 
the Federal Government had proposed a draft law in 2021 and initiated consultations, which 
are still ongoing211. The law should also apply to the regions and municipalities, which appear 
to  be  particularly  reluctant  to  agree  to  the  new  law212,  as  they  fear  an  unmanageable 
administrative burden213. The main criticism of stakeholders is the fact that the draft law does 
not provide for an independent body that citizens can turn to and that can advise authorities on 
the application of the law214. Also, the list of exceptions is considered to be too extensive by 
stakeholders215.  A  veto  clause  would  allow  any  regional  government  to  block  any  future 
amendment216. The Federal Chancellery has indicated that it intends to present a revised draft 
by June 2023217. No concrete details are available at this stage. Consequently, no progress has 
been made related to the recommendation from last year’s Rule of Law Report.  

Whilst the situation has improved with the pandemic fading out, some challenges as to 
the safety of journalists remain. There have been no physical assaults reported on the Council 
of Europe Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists or by the 
Media Freedom Rapid Response for 2022 and 2023218. However, the general climate remains 
tense, with online harassment remaining an issue219, notably against journalists of the public 
broadcaster ORF220. The Federal Government initiated a political declaration for the renewed 
commitment  to  strengthen  the  implementation  of  the  United  Nations  Plan  of  Action  on  the 
Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity which was adopted at a conference in Vienna 

207  Constitutional Court, judgment of 30 June 2022, G 226/2021, ECLI:AT:VFGH:2022:G226.2021. 
208 It is reported that the new household fee will be around EUR 15 per month instead of the current fee of EUR 

22.45, see ORF (2023), ‘ORF contribution’ replaces GIS. 

209  Information received from the ORF and the Presseclub Concordia in the context of the country visit to Austria; 
official statements of media minister Raab on 23 March 2023, as reported by ORF (2023), ‘ORF contribution’ 
replaces GIS and by the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (2023), ORF fee is reduced to EUR 15 per month. 

210  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 2. 
211  2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 15; 2022 Rule of Law 

Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 19. 

212  GRECO Fifth Evaluation Report, Austria, p. 22. 
213 Written contribution from the Federal Government. 
214  Forum Informationsfreiheit (2021), Draft law to abolish official secrecy does not ensure change of culture in 

the administration; GRECO Fifth Evaluation Report, Austria, p. 23. 

215  Information received from Transparency International and the Publishers’ Association in the context of the 

country visit to Austria. 

216  Information received from Forum Informationsfreiheit in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
217  Information received from the Federal Government in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
218  See also 2023 Media Pluralism Monitor, Country report Austria, p. 12, which says that assaults “have declined 

sharply” after the end of demonstrations related to the measures against the pandemic. 

219  Information received from Presseclub Concordia in the context of the country visit to Austria. The Presseclub 

Concordia set up an online reporting system for attacks against journalists already in 2021. 

220  Information received from the ORF in the context of the country visit to Austria. 

22 

 
                                                           
in  November  2022221.  Strategic  lawsuits  against  public  participation  (SLAPPs)  against 
journalists have not been a systematic issue in Austria so far, although some individual cases 
have been registered (see also Section 4)222.   

IV.  OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CHECKS AND BALANCES 

Austria is a federal republic with a bicameral parliament, composed of the National Council 
(Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). Legislative proposals can be submitted by 
the Government, by members of both chambers of parliament, as well as by way of popular 
initiative223. The Constitutional Court carries out an ex-post constitutionality review of laws, 
which is possible both in concrete cases224 and as an abstract review of a law, based on appeals 
by the federal or a regional Government or by a third of the members of either parliamentary 
chamber.  Several  different  Ombudspersons  contribute  to  upholding  fundamental  rights  in 
different areas225.  

Initiatives to support public participation in policymaking processes are ongoing, while 
there are calls for a more systematic approach. Austria, as noted in previous Reports226, has 
continued to pursue a project on ‘participation in the digital age’ as part of which, as a second 
phase, a practical guide is set to be published in the first half of 2023. In a third phase, a website 
on  public  participation  in  the  digital  age,  which  should  provide  resources  for  civil  servants 
carrying out such participatory processes, will be set up, which is scheduled to be launched by 
early 2024227. A number of participatory processes to support the preparation of new policies 
have also been carried out, with the preparation of a reform of the law on voluntarism noted as 
being a particularly inclusive process by stakeholders228. However, civil society organisations 
(CSOs) note that such dialogue is strongly dependent on the individual Ministries and a more 
systematic approach with a regulatory framework for civil dialogue is needed229. The lack of 
comprehensive  legislation  on  access  to  information  also  remains  an  impediment  to 
transparency of the legislative process. As regards the consultation on draft legislation before 
it is submitted to Parliament as a Government draft, a legally binding provision in an ordinance 
of the Federal Chancellor provides that the consultation period shall normally be six weeks230; 
a  ministerial  circular  also  recalls  the  need  to  set  appropriate  deadlines,  in  principle  of  six 

221  Information  received  from  the  Federal  Government  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Austria;  see  also 
Austrian  Federal  Ministry  for  European  and  International  Affairs  (2022),  Safety  of  Journalists:  Protecting 
media to protect democracy – High-level Conference, Vienna, 4 November 2022.  

222  Information received from Presseclub Concordia, the ORF and the Publishers Association in the context of 

the country visit to Austria. 

223  This requires signatures by 100 000 voters or by one sixth each of the voters in three provinces. Input from 

Austria for the 2020 Rule of Law Report, p. 50.  

224  The  review can take place ex-officio or on application by another court,  an individual or a party to a case 

pending before an ordinary court of first instance.  

225  This includes the Ombudsperson Board, the Federal Disability Ombudsperson, the Ombudsperson for Equal 

Treatment and the Ombudsperson for Children and Youth.  

226  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 20.  
227  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 34.  
228  Franet (2022), Country research - Legal environment and space of civil society organisations in supporting 
fundamental rights – Austria, pp. 3-4. Information received from Bündnis für Gemeinnützigkeit in the context 
of the country visit to Austria.  

229  Contribution from European Civic Forum (Austria) for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 9-11.  
230  Section 9 para. 3 of the Ordinance of the Federal Chancellor on Principles of Regulatory Impact Assessments 

(Federal law Gazette II No. 489/2012).  

23 

 
                                                           
weeks231. However, stakeholders note that this is often not respected in practice232. GRECO 
has  recommended  to  Austria  in  2023  to  establish  adequate  statutory  timelines  for 
consultations233. 

On  1  January  2023,  Austria  had  three  leading  judgments  of  the  European  Court  of 
Human Rights pending implementation, a decrease of three compared to the previous 
year234. At that time, Austria’s rate of leading judgments from the past 10 years that remained 
pending was at 22% (compared to 26% in 2022), and the average time that the judgments had 
been pending implementation was 1 year and 3 months (compared to 4 years and 7 months in 
2022)235. The change is a result of the closure of two leading cases in March 2022 that had 
been  previously  pending  for  over  10  years236.  On  15  June  2023,  the  number  of  leading 
judgments pending implementation has increased to five237. 

The  Ombudsperson  Board  continues  to  operate  effectively.  The  sub-committee  for 
accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), in its 
decision  to  accredit  the  Ombudsperson  Board  with  A-Status  in  March  2022238,  had  made 
recommendations related to the appointment procedure of the Board and for ensuring pluralism 
and diversity in  its  membership239. No steps are currently announced to  follow-up on these 
recommendations as regards the legislative framework. However, the Board has re-launched 
its  structural  dialogue  with  CSOs  that  was  interrupted  due  to  the  pandemic240.  Overall,  the 

231  Federal  Chancellery,  Circular  regarding  the  setting  of  appropriate  consultation  periods,  GZ  BKA-

600.614/0002-V/2/2008.  

232  Contribution from European Civic Forum (Austria) for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 10 and information 
received from the Bar Association and Bündnis für Gemeinnützigkeit in the context of the country visit. In 
addition,  a  consultation  procedure  is  generally  addressed  to  selected  participants.  While  since  2017  an 
extended consultation process that allows also organisations and individuals that are not explicitly invited to 
contribute, to provide their views, this process is not always applied. GRECO Fifth Round Evaluation Report 
– recommendation v, paras. 77-81.  

233  GRECO Fifth Round Evaluation Report – recommendation v.  
234  The adoption of necessary execution  measures  for a  judgment by the European  Court of Human  Rights is 
supervised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It is the Committee’s practice to group 
cases against a State requiring similar execution measures, particularly general measures, and examine them 
jointly. The first case in the group is designated as the leading case as regards the supervision of the general 
measures and repetitive cases within the group can be closed when it is assessed that all possible individual 
measures needed to provide redress to the applicant have been taken. 

235  All figures are calculated by the European Implementation Network and are based on the number of cases that 
are considered pending at the annual cut-off date of 1 January 2023. See the Contribution from the European 
Implementation Network for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 1. 

236  Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights of 9 November 2006, Stojakovic v. Austria, 30003/02, had 
been pending since 2007 and has been implemented as of 8 March 2022; of 15 July 2010,  Mladoschovitz v. 
Austria, 38663/06, had been pending since 2010 and has been implemented as of 8 March 2022. 

237  Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC-EXEC). 
238  Report and Recommendations of the Virtual Session of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), 14-25 

March 2022, pp. 12-14. 

239  With respect to the gender balance of its  membership, the  Ombudsperson Board reports that  with the  new 
appointment  of  a  woman  as  one  of  the  three  Ombudspersons  in  July  2022,  an  improvement  in  the  gender 
balance  has  been  achieved.  The  Ombudsperson  Board  consists  of  three  Ombudsperson,  one  of  which  is 
currently  a  woman.  However,  there  are  no  rules  on  gender  balance  within  the  Board.  Contribution  from 
ENNHRI (Austria) for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 70-72.  

240  An  NGO  Forum  as  organised  in  May  2022  related  to  (among  other  topics)  the  Charter  of  Social  Rights. 

Contribution from ENNHRI (Austria) for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 67-68.  

24 

 
                                                           
Board continues to find its resources adequate, with a significant increase in staff between 2019 
and 2023, and reports that its recommendations are generally followed by the authorities241.  

The appointment and dismissal procedures for the President of the Court of Audit were 
strengthened,  while  there  are  long  delays  in  appointments  for  the  heads  of  other 
independent  bodies.  The  procedure  for  appointment  and  dismissal  of  the  President  of  the 
Court of Audit has been amended (as part of the party financing reform adopted in July 2022), 
increasing  the  required  majority  for  both  decisions  to  two-third  of  votes  in  the  National 
Council242. This provides a strengthened safeguard for the President’s position in view of the 
Court  of  Audit’s  newly  increased  powers.  There  have  been  delays  in  other  appointment 
procedures for independent authorities, notably for the Federal Anti-Corruption Bureau where 
until the appointment of a new head in August 2022 the position had not been filled for over 
two years243. This is also the case for the competition authority, where the appointment of a 
new director has been pending since 2021244.  

The framework for civil society remains stable and a reform to improve tax rules for non-
profit  organisations  is  under  preparation.  Civil  society  space  in  Austria  continues  to  be 
considered as ‘open’245. As noted in the 2022 Rule of Law Report, since spring 2022, an expert 
group for the modernisation of the taxation of non-profit organisation has taken up its work246, 
and has met on a regular basis. A draft proposal is planned to be presented in summer 2023, 
with legislation planned to be adopted at the end of 2023 or early 2024247. The reform would 
in particular aim to broaden the purposes and types of non-profit organisations that can benefit 
from  tax  deductibility  for  their  donors248  and  modernise  the  tax  framework  of  non-profit 
organisations overall, to produce more legal certainty and ease the administrative burden249. 
As  regards  funding,  CSOs  face  challenges  in  the  context  of  high  inflation,  and  have 
recommended the extension of inflation mitigation measures for the corporate sector to non-
profits as well, which was already done regarding energy subsidies250. While the practice is not 
considered to be widespread, a number of individual legal actions identified as SLAPP cases 

241  Information received from the Austrian Ombudsperson Board in the context of the country visit to Austria. 
The  follow-up  varies  on  the  nature  of  the  recommendation,  as  the  Board  has  various  mandates,  and  e.g. 
legislative recommendations by nature require a more lengthy/complex follow-up.  

242  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 31-32.  
243  Anti-corruption  Referendum  (2022),  Infamous  Anniversary  –  Head  of  the  Federal  Bureau  for  Combating 

Corruption has not been filled for two years.  

244  Parliament Correspondence (2022), Federal Competition Authority  – Heated Debate on the Activity Report 

2021.  

245  Rating given by Civicus, Austria. Ratings are on a five-category scale defined as: open, narrowed, obstructed, 

repressed and closed. 

246  The expert group consists of  7 representatives of the Ministry of Finance and the tax administration and 7 
representatives of stakeholders (3 large charity organisations, 2 interest groups, 1 tax consultant, 1 professor). 

247  Information received from the Federal Government in the context of the country visit to Austria.  
248  Currently,  organisations  working,  for  example,  in  the  fields  of  human  rights,  civil  and  political  rights, 
democracy,  transparency  and  adult  education  (inside  Austria)  are  not  covered.  Information  received  from 
Forum Informationsfreiheit, Bündnis für Gemeinnützigkeit, Amnesty International Austria and Transparency 
International Austria in the context of the country visit to Austria.  

249  Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 33-34.  
250  Contribution from European Civic Forum (Austria) for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, pp. 8-9 and 11.  

25 

 
                                                           
against CSOs have been noted, related to climate activists251 and animal rights organisations252. 
In one case, this has led several UN Special Rapporteurs to start a dialogue with Austria related 
to possible restrictions to freedom of expression, assembly and association253. Concerning the 
impact of anti-terrorism legislation that civil society raised as a possible concern, as noted in 
the 2022 Report254, stakeholders indicated that no chilling effect coming from this legislation 
has materialised in practice255.  

251  Franet (2022), Country research - Legal environment and space of civil society organisations in supporting 

fundamental rights – Austria pp. 5-6.  

252  VGT  Press  release  (2022),  Protest  against  Spar  SLAPP  case  and  interim  order  that  makes  any  criticism 

impossible. 

253  Contribution from OHCHR for the 2023 Rule of Law Report (Austria). Letter by the Special Rapporteurs to 

Austria of 20 May 2022, Ref. AL AUT 2/2022.  

254  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Austria, p. 23. 
255  Information received from Amnesty International Austria and Dokustelle Austria in the context of the country 

visit to Austria.  

26 

 
                                                           
Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order*  

* The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2023 Rule of Law Report 
can 
https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2023-rule-law-report-targeted-
stakeholder-consultation_en. 

found 

be 

at 

Anti-corruption  Referendum  (2022),  Infamous  Anniversary  –  Head  of  the  Federal  Bureau  for 
Combating  Corruption  has  not  been  filled  fort  wo  years.  (Unrühmliches  Jubiläum“:  Leitung  des 
Bundesamts  zur  Korruptionsbekämpfung  seit  zwei  Jahren  nicht  nachbesetzt),  „Unrühmliches 
Jubiläum“: Leitung des Bundesamts zur Korruptionsbekämpfung seit zwei Jahren nicht nachbesetzt - 
Antikorruptionsbegehren.at. 

Anti-corruption  Referendum  (2023),  Rule  of  Law  &  Anti-Corruption  claims  (Rechtsstaat  & 
https://antikorruptionsbegehren.at/wp-
AntiKorruptionsvolksbegehren) 
content/uploads/2021/08/Text_Volksbegehren.pdf. 

Anti-corruption  Referendum  (2023),  Discourse  on  criminal  law  for  corruption and  the  office  of the 
public  prosecutor  general  (Diskurs  Über  Korruptionsstrafrecht  und  Generalstaatsanwaltschaft) 
https://antikorruptionsbegehren.at/2023/01/19/antikorruptionsbegehren-diskurs-ueber-
korruptionsstrafrecht-und-generalstaatsanwaltschaft/#page-content.  

Association  of  Austrian  Administrative  Judges,  Appointment  of  the  new  president  of  the  Federal 
Administrative Court as pawn of politics, (Bestellung des neuen Präsidenten/der neuen Präsidentin des 
Bundesverwaltungsgericht 
Politik), 
https://uvsvereinigung.wordpress.com/2023/03/06/bestellung-des-neuen-praesidenten-der-neuen-
praesidentin-des-bundesverwaltungsgericht-als-spielball-der-politik/.  

Spielball 

der 

als 

Association of Austrian Administrative Judges, Regional Administrative Court Styria  – Vacancy for 
the  President’s  post,  (LVwG  Steiermark:  Position  des  Präsidenten/der  Präsidetin  ausgeschrieben), 
https://uvsvereinigung.wordpress.com/2022/11/08/lvwg-steiermark-position-des-praesidenten-der-
praesidentin-ausgeschrieben/.  

Association  of  European  Administrative  Judges,  Contribution  from  the  Association  of  European 
Administrative Judges (Austria) for the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

Austrian Association of Judges (2022), Contribution from the Austrian Association of Judges for the 
2022 Rule of Law Report. 

Austrian Association of Judges (2023), Contribution from Austrian Association of Judges for the 2023 
Rule of Law Report.  

Austrian  Association  of  Judges  (2023),  Position  paper  on  the  stakeholder  consultation  on  the  draft 
Second  Service  Law  Amendment,  https://richtervereinigung.at/wp-content/uploads/delightful-
downloads/2022/11/2022_2.-Dienstrechts-Novelle-2022.pdf.  

Austrian Association of Prosecutors (2021), Prosecutors react to press conference alleging ‘leftist cells’ 
in  the  WkStA  (Reaktion  auf  die  Pressekonferenz  des  AbgNR  Mag.  Hanger  zu  behaupteten  “linken 
Zellen 
https://staatsanwaelte.at/reaktion-auf-die-pressekonferenz-des-abgnr-mag-
hangerzu-behaupteten-linken-zellen-der-wksta/.  

der  WKStA”) 

Austrian Association of Prosecutors (2023), Contribution from the Austrian Association of Prosecutors 
for the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

Austrian Bar Association (2023), Contribution from the Austrian Bar Association for the 2023 Rule of 
Law Report. 

Austrian  Bar  Association  (2022),  ÖRAK  calls  for  far-reaching  reforms  in  the  safeguarding  and 
evaluation  of  data  and  data  carriers  (ÖRAK  fordert  tiefgreifende  Reformen  bei  Sicherstellung  und 
Auswertung 
Datenträgern) 
https://www.rechtsanwaelte.at/aktuelles/aktuelles/news/oerak-fordert-tiefgreifende-reformen-bei-
sicherstellung-und-auswertung-von-daten-und-datentraegern/.  

Daten 

und 

von 

27 

 
Austrian  Constitutional  Court,  Judgment  of  30  June  2022,  Streaming-Lücke,  G  226/2021, 
ECLI:AT:VFGH:2022:G226.2021.  

Austrian Constitutional Court, Judgment of 7 March 2023, G 282-283/2022.  

first 
Austrian 
https://www.vfgh.gv.at/medien/Vorschau_erstes_Halbjahr_2023.de.php. 

Constitutional 

Preview 

Court, 

the 

to 

semester 

of 

2023, 

Austrian  Federal  Ministry  for  European  and  International  Affairs  (2022),  Safety  of  Journalists: 
Protecting  media  to  protect  democracy  –  High-level  Conference,  Vienna,  4  November  2022, 
https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/european-foreign-policy/human-rights/priorities-of-austrian-human-
rights-policy/safety-of-journalists/safety-of-journalists-protecting-media-to-protect-democracy-high-
level-conference-vienna-3-4-november-2022/.  

Austrian Government (2023), Input from Austria for the 2023 Rule of Law Report. 

Austrian Parliament (2021), Code of Conduct for Members of the National Council and Members of 
the  Federal  Council  (Verhaltensregeln  für  Abgeordnete  des  Nationalrates  und  Mitglieder  des 
Bundesrates) 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/ZUSD/PDF/Verhaltensregeln_und_Praxisleitfaden_fuer_ParlamentarierI 
nnen_NEU_BF.pdf. 

Austrian Parliament (2021), Demand for the establishment of a committee of inquiry: ÖVP corruption 
eines  Untersuchungsausschusses: 
committee 
investigation 
ÖVPKorruptions-Untersuchungsausschuss) 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXVII/US/US_00004/index.shtml.  

auf  Einsetzung 

(Verlangen 

Austrian  Parliament 
Untersuchungsausschuss) 
USA/AUSA_00003_00906/index.shtm. 

(2021),  ÖVP  corruption 

investigation  committee 

(ÖVP-Korruptions 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXVII/A-

Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  Corruption  Criminal  Law  Amendment  Act  2023  -  (244/ME) 
2023”) 
(“Korruptionsstrafrechtsänderungsgesetz 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/ME/244.  

KorrStrÄG 

2023 

– 

Austrian Parliament (2023), Austria implements EU Directive on better protection of whistleblowers 
innen  um) 
(“Österreich 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2023/pk0102. 

zum  besseren  Schutz  von  Whistleblower: 

setzt  EU-Richtlinie 

Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  Electoral  reform:  Federal  Council  does  not  object  to  National  Council 
decision  (Wahlrechtsreform:  Bundesrat  erhebt  keinen  Einspruch  gegen  Nationalratsbeschluss) 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2023/pk0164#XXVII_A_03087. 

Austrian Parliament (2023), How and by whom is party financing controlled, (Wie und vo Wie und von 
wem wird die Parteienfinanzierung kontrolliert? | Parlament Österreich. 

Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  Rule  of  Law  &  Anti-Corruption  Referendum:  Debate  on  Reforms 
(Rechtsstaat 
Reformen” 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2023/pk0098#XXVII_I_01626. 

Antikorruptionsvolksbegehren: 

Debatte 

über 

& 

Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  ÖVP  Corruption  Committee  of  Inquiry  enters  final  phase  (“ÖVP-
Korruptions-Untersuchungsausschuss 
Phase”), 
in 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2023/pk0142.  

finale 

geht 

die 

Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  Corruption  Criminal  Law  Amendment  Act  2023  -  Opinion  on  the 
Prosecutors 
-  Association 
ministerial 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/SNME/242845/.  

(16/SN-244/ME) 

of  Austrian 

Public 

draft 

Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  Corruption  Criminal  Law  Amendment  Act  2023  -  Opinion  on  the 
Office, 
ministerial 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/SNME/242846/.  

(17/SN-244/ME) 

Prosecutor's 

Vienna 

Public 

draft 

– 

28 

 
Austrian  Parliament  (2023),  Corruption  Criminal  Law  Amendment  Act  2023  -  Opinion  on  the 
ministerial draft (27/SN-244/ME) - University of Innsbruck, Institute of Criminal Law, Law of Criminal 
Procedure and Criminology https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/SNME/242863/.  

Austrian Parliament (2022), Draft law for the fight against the distribution of terrorist content online 
(Terrorinhalte-Bekämpfungs-Gesetz), 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/ME/234?selectedStage=100.  

Austrian Parliament (2023), Draft law on the promotion of quality journalism (Bundesgesetz über die 
Förderung  des  qualitätsvollen  Journalismus  in  Medien  des  Print-  und  Online-Bereichs;  das 
Presseförderungsgesetz, 
Änderung), 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/A/3292. 

KommAustria-Gesetz, 

das 

Austrian Parliament (2023), Draft Law to amend the law on the transparency of media cooperation and 
funding,  (Bundesverfassungsgesetz  über  die  Transparenz  von  Medienkooperationen  sowie  von 
periodischen  Mediums, 
Werbeaufträgen 
Medienkooperations- 
Änderung), 
https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/A/3294  

und  Förderungen 
und 

-förderungs-Transparenzgesetz 

an  Medieninhaber 

eines 

u.a., 

Austrian Parliament (2023), Law on the Wiener Zeitung GmbH (Bundesgesetz über die Wiener Zeitung 
GmbH und Einrichtung einer elektronischen Verlautbarungs- und Informationsplattform des Bundes – 
WZEVI-Gesetz), https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/A/3293 

Austrian Parliament (2023), Austrian People‘s Party (ÖVP) Corruption Investigation Committee (4/US) 
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Austrian Parliament (2023), ÖVP corruption inquiry committee: National Council takes note of final 
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https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/pk/jahr_2023/pk0454.  

Austrian Regulatory Authority for Broadcasting and Telecommunications (RTR), Overview over the 
2022 
RTR, 
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bersicht2022.de.html. 

decisions 

funding 

the 

of 

CCBE (2023), Contribution from the CCBE for the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

CCJE Opinion No. 19 (2016) on the role of court presidents. 

Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (2023), Media pluralism monitor 2023, Country report 
Austria (forthcoming). 

CEPEJ (2022), Study on the functioning of judicial systems in the EU Member States. 

Civicus, Monitor tracking civic space – Austria https://monitor.civicus.org/country/austria/. 

Court of Audit (2023), Report on the Federal Administrative Court (Bundesverwaltungsgericht Bericht 
des 
), 
Rechnungshofs 
https://www.rechnungshof.gv.at/rh/home/home/2023_5_Bundesverwaltungsgericht.pdf.  

Council of Europe: Committee of Ministers (2000), Recommendation Rec(2000)19 of the Committee of 
Ministers on the Role of Public Prosecution in the Criminal Justice System. 

Council  of  Europe:  Committee  of  Ministers  (2010),  Recommendation  CM/Rec(2010)12  of  the 
Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to member states on judges: independence, efficiency 
and responsibilities.  

Council  of  Europe:  Venice  Commission  (2010),  Report  on  European  Standards  as  regards  the 
Independence of the Judicial System: Part II - the Prosecution Service (CDL-AD(2010)040-e). 

Council  of  Europe:  Venice  Commision  (2022),  Bulgaria  -  Opinion  on  the  draft  amendments  to  the 
criminal procedure code and the judicial system act, CDL-AD(2022)03.  

29 

 
Council of Europe, Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists – Austria, 
https://fom.coe.int/en/pays/detail/11709480.   

Der Standard (2022), ORF Foundation Council: That’s how we are (ORF-Stiftungsrat: So sind wir halt), 
https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000141104833/orf-stiftungsrat-so-sind-wir-halt.   

Der  Standard  (2023),  Nehammer  administration  paid  advertising  for  EUR  28.9  million  (Regierung 
Nehammer 
Euro), 
https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000144520641/regierung-nehammer-schaltete-2022-werbung-fuer-
28-9-millionen-euro.  

Millionen 

Werbung 

schaltete 

2022 

28,9 

für 

Die  Presse  (2022),  President  of  Prosecutors‘  Association  sees  investigative  bodies  weakened 
(Staatsanwälte 
geschwächt) 
sieht 
https://www.diepresse.com/6223612/staatsanwaelte-praesidentin-sieht-ermittlungsbehoerden-
geschwaecht.  

Ermittlungsbehörden 

Präsidentin 

European Civic Forum (2023), Contribution from the European Civic Forum (Austria) for the 2023 
Rule of Law Report.  

European Commission (2020), 2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Austria.  

European Commission (2021), 2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Austria.  

European Commission (2022), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Austria. 

European Commission (2023), 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard.  

European Implementation Network (2023), Contribution from the European Implementation Network 
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European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (2023), Contribution from ENNHRI (Austria) 
for the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

European  Parliament 
https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2832  

(2022),  Flash  Eurobarometer  News  &  Media  Survey  2022, 

Expert group on the creation of an independent Prosecutor General not subject to instructions (2022), 
Final 
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Gesetze/Generalstaatsanwaltschaft0.html.  

(Endbericht), 

Federal  Chancellery,  Circular  regarding  the  setting  of  appropriate  consultation  periods,  GZ  BKA-
600.614/0002-V/2/2008 
Festsetzung 
angemessener 
Begutachtungsfristen) 
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08/ERL_BKA_20080602_BKA_600_614_0002_V_2_2008.pdf.  

Begutachtungsverfahren; 

(Rundschreiben 

bezüglich 

Forum Informationsfreiheit (2021), Draft law for abolition of official secrecy does not ensure a change 
of  culture in the administration  (Entwurf  für  Amtsgeheimnis-Abschaffung  stellt keinen  Transparenz-
https://www.informationsfreiheit.at/2021/04/15/forum-
Kulturwandel 
informationsfreiheit-entwurf-fuer-amtsgeheimnis-abschaffung-stellt-keinen-transparenz-
kulturwandel-in-verwaltung-sicher/. 

in  Verwaltung 

sicher), 

Franet, European Training and Research Center for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC Graz) (2023), 
Country  research  -  Legal  environment  and  space  of  civil  society  organisations  in  supporting 
fundamental 
Fundamental  Rights, 
https://fra.europa.eu/en/country-data/2023/civic-space-report-2023.     

–  Austria,  Vienna,  EU  Agency 

rights 

for 

30 

 
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (2023), ORF fee is reduced to EUR 15 per month (ORF-Beitrag sinkt 
auf 15 Euro im Monat), https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/neuer-orf-beitrag-sinkt-auf-15-
euro-im-monat-18771258.html.  

GANHRI Sub-committee on Accreditation (2022), Report and Recommendations of the Virtual Session 
2022, 
Accreditation 
of 
https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/SCA-Report-March-2022_E.pdf.     

14-25  March 

Sub-Committee 

(SCA), 

the 

on 

GRECO (2017), Fourth Evaluation Round – Evaluation Report on Austria on corruption prevention in 
respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors.  

GRECO  (2021),  Fourth  Evaluation  Round  –  Interim  Compliance  Report  on  Austria  on  corruption 
prevention in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors.  

GRECO  (2022),  Fourth  Evaluation  Round  –  Second  Interim  Compliance  Report  on  Austria  on 
corruption prevention in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. 

GRECO (2023), Fifth Evaluation Round – Evaluation Report on Austria on preventing corruption and 
promoting integrity in central governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies.  

Kurier  (2023),  ORF  editors‘  council  relieved  after  resignation  of  Ziegler  (ORF-Redaktionsrat  nach 
Ziegler-Rücktritt 
https://kurier.at/kultur/medien/orf-redaktionsrat-nach-ziegler-
ruecktritt-erleichtert/402315770. 

„erleichtert“), 

Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory occupied 
since 1967; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion 
and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 
and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Letter to Austria, Ref. AL AUT 
2/2022, 
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eine 
Justiz), 
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%20jabloner.pdf.  

qualitätsvolle 

moderne 

und 

Ministry of Justice (2023), Written contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country 
visit to Austria.   

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (2023), Contribution from OHCHR for the 2023 
Rule of Law Report (Austria).  

ORF  (2022),  ORF  editor-in-chief  Schroms  resigns  (ORF-Chefredakteur  Schrom  tritt  zurück), 
https://orf.at/stories/3293073/ 

ORF (2023), ‘ORF fee‘ replaces GIS (“ORF-Beitrag” ersetzt GIS), https://orf.at/stories/3309957/.  

ÖVP Corruption Investigative Committee (2023), Report of the investigative committee regarding the 
clarification  of  allegations  of  corruption  against  members  of  the  ÖVP  government,  (Bericht  des 
gegen  ÖVP-
Untersuchungsausschusses 
Regierungsmitglieder), https://www.parlament.gv.at/dokument/XXVII/I/1996/imfname_1549969.pdf.  

von  Korruptionsvorwürfen 

betreffend  Klärung 

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Report 2021 (Hitzige Debatte um Tätigkeitsbericht 2021). Bundeswettbewerbsbehörde: Hitzige Debatte 
um  Tätigkeitsbericht  2021  |  Pressedienst  der  Parlamentsdirektion  –  Parlamentskorrespondenz, 
07.12.2022 (ots.at).  

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media cooperation and funding (Stellungnahme des Presseclub Concordia zum Bundesgesetz, mit dem 
ein  Bundesgesetz  über  die  Förderung  des  qualitätsvollen  Journalismus  in  Medien  des  Print-  und 

31 

 
Online-Bereichs erlassen wird und das Presseförderungsgesetz 2004, das Medienkooperations- und -
förderungs-Transparenzgesetz 
werden), 
sowie 
https://concordia.at/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/QJF-G_Stellungnahme.pdf. 

KommAustria-Gesetz 

geändert 

das 

Presseclub  Concordia  (2022),  Opinion  on  the  draft  law  on  the  Wiener  Zeitung  (Stellungnahme  des 
Presseclub  Concordia  zum  Bundesgesetz  über  die  Wiener  Zeitung  GmbH  und  Einrichtung  einer 
elektronischen  Verlautbarungs-  und 
Informationsplattform  des  Bundes  –  WZEVI-Gesetz), 
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Reporters without Borders (2022), ‘Appeal’ against draft law on the Wiener Zeitung (Appell: Keine 
Zustimmung  für  das  Gesetz  zur  Einstellung  der  „Wiener  Zeitung“  als  Tageszeitung  und  zur 
demokratiepolitisch 
https://www.rog.at/pm/appell-keine-
zustimmung-fuer-das-gesetz-zur-einstellung-der-wiener-zeitung-als-tageszeitung-und-zur-
demokratiepolitisch-fragwuerdigen-medienausbildung. 

fragwürdigen  Medienausbildung), 

Reporters  without  Borders  (2023),  World  Press  Freedom  Index  2023  –  country  fact-file  Austria, 
https://rsf.org/en/country/austria.  

Supreme Court (2023), Contribution from the Supreme Court for the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

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(TI  Presseaussendung  –  Lobbying  spielregeln 
für  politik)  https://ti-austria.at/2022/11/02/ti-
presseaussendung-lobbying-spielregeln-fuer-politik/.  

Transparency International (2023), Corruption Perceptions Index 2022. 

Transparency 
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https://www.parlament.gv.at/gegenstand/XXVII/SNME/242847?selectedStage=100. 

(2023),  Opinion 
– 
2023 

on 
KorrStrÄG 

International  Austria 

the  ministerial 
2023 

draft 
(18/SN-244/ME)) 

VGT Press release (2022), Protest against Spar SLAPP case and interim order that makes any criticism 
impossible  (Protest  gegen  Spar  SLAPP  Klage  und  erlassene  EV  die  jede  Kritik  verunmöglicht) 
https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20221205_OTS0100/vgt-protest-gegen-spar-slapp-klage-
und-erlassene-ev-die-jede-kritik-verunmoeglicht.  

Wiener 
https://www.wienerzeitung.at/unternehmen/redaktionsstatut/.  

Editorial 

Zeitung 

(2015), 

statute 

(Redaktionsstatut), 

(2023),  Annual  Dialogue  2021-22,  press 

WKStA 
Presseinformationen) 
korruptionsstaatsanwaltschaft/medienstelle/pressemitteilungen/jahresgespraech-2021-22-
presseinformation.bc9.de.html;jsessionid=51E4F738649B829C1D30F481C81E3E32.s1.  

(Jahresgespräch  2021-22, 
https://www.justiz.gv.at/wksta/wirtschafts-und-

information, 

WKStA  (30  March  2023),  Press  release  on  investigative  steps  taking  in  the  CASAG  case  group, 
(Pressemitteilung  der  Wirtschafts-  und  Korruptionsstaatsanwaltschaft  (WKStA)  zum  CASAG-
https://www.justiz.gv.at/wksta/wirtschafts-und-
Verfahrenskomplex), 
korruptionsstaatsanwaltschaft/medienstelle/pressemitteilungen/pressemitteilung-der-wirtschafts-und-
korruptionsstaatsanwaltschaft-(wksta)-zum-casag-verfahrenskomplex-vom-30-maerz-
2023.c08.de.html.  

32 

 
Annex II: Country visit to Austria 

The Commission services held virtual meetings in March 2023 with: 

  Amnesty International Austria  
  Antikorruptionsbegehren (Anti-Corruption Referendum)  
  Association of Administrative Judges 
  Association of Judges 
  Association of Prosecutors 
  Austrian Press Council 
  Bar Association 
  Bündnis für Gemeinnützigkeit  
  Court of Audit 
  Dokustelle Austria 
  Federal Chancellery  
  Federal Anti-Corruption Bureau  
  Forum Informationsfreiheit 
  KommAustria (Media Regulator)  
  Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport 
  Ministry of Finance 
  Ministry of Justice 
  Parliamentary Administration  
  Press Club Concordia  
  Public Service Broadcaster (ORF) 
  Regional Administrative Court Lower Austria  
  Senior Prosecutor’s Office Vienna  
  Supreme Administrative Court  
  Supreme Court  
  The Austrian Ombudsboard  
  Transparency International Austria 
  Verband Österreichischer Zeitungen (Publishers’ Association)  
  Weisungsrat (Council on instructions to prosecutors)  
  WkStA (Specialised Prosecution Service for Economic Crime and Corruption) 

* The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:  

  ALDA (European Association for Local Democracy) 
  Amnesty International  
  Civil Liberties Union for Europe  
  Civil Society Europe 
  Culture Action Europe  
  European Centre for Press and Media Freedom  
  European Civic Forum  
  European Federation of Journalists  
  European Partnership for Democracy  

33 

 
 
ILGA Europe  
International Commission of Jurists 
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)  
International Planned Parenthood Federation European Network 
International Press Institute  

  European Youth Forum  
  Free Press Unlimited 
  Front Line Defenders 
 
 
 
 
 
  JEF Europe  
  Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa 
  Philea  
  Reporters Without Borders  
  SOLIDAR 
  Transparency International EU 

34