2024-11-12 16:31:00
In the last panel of today Federal Council inquiry “Democracy needs a future – building bridges, strengthening democracy,” experts dedicated themselves to the specific need for action in Austria. Herwig Hösele, former President of the Federal Council, underlined the importance of the Federal Council itself for Austrian democracy. Manfred Matzka, former section head in the Federal Chancellery, advocated “pragmatic reform steps”, for example by strengthening parliamentary control of state-affiliated companies. Frauke Petry, a former member of the German Bundestag, criticized what she saw as the increasing interference of state institutions in the free formation of opinions and emphasized the relevance of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly as the “defense rights of responsible citizens”. To strengthen democracy, Martina Handler from CoCreating Future suggested institutionalizing new forms of participation such as citizens’ councils, in which those involved could see themselves as effective political actors.
The chairmen of the Federal Council factions then discussed their perspectives on the constitution of the democratic system in Austria. In his closing words, Federal Council President Franz Ebner emphasized the importance of including a wide range of perspectives in order to ensure the future of a functional democracy
Hösele: Federalism strengthens the resilience of democratic systems
The importance of the Federal Council itself for democracy was emphasized by its former president, Herwig Hösele. Questioning the usefulness of the state chamber under the pretext of “apparent increases in efficiency and savings opportunities” is a “crude simplification”. According to Hösele, federalist systems are closer to citizens and more resilient than centralized ones. Subsidiarity and regionality contribute significantly to strengthening trust in democracy. In order to counteract the erosion of this trust, Hösele suggested specifically promoting independent quality media, expanding political education in the spirit of lifelong learning and expanding the opportunities for citizen participation – including using digital channels.
Matzka advocates “concrete and pragmatic” reform concepts
The democratic policy discussion in Austria focuses very much on the expansion of direct democratic instruments, stated Manfred Matzka. However, their concept has its limits because it doesn’t really “get people involved”, as numerous failed initiatives have demonstrated. Excessive expectations of the media should also be curbed. Their democratic function is contradicted by their orientation towards “click numbers”.
Matzka also came up with “concrete and pragmatic” reform concepts. Among other things, he called for a strengthening of parliament – particularly in the control of outsourced institutions and state-affiliated companies – as well as for greater appreciation for the “professional civil service” and criticized the bloating of cabinets as “parallel administrations”. Matzka also suggested anchoring the state governors’ conference in constitutional law, reforming citizenship law and expanding opportunities for participation in state decision-making, for example by generating ideas via social media.
Frauke Petry emphasizes the importance of civil rights and the free exchange of opinions
Frauke Petry dealt with the basic understanding of democracy. The mere rule of the majority is not sufficient as a definition if one does not want democracy to be “degraded to a torso without arms and legs”. Above all, Petry emphasized the importance of civil rights, especially freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, which, as “responsible citizens’ rights to defend themselves against the state”, have increasingly “come under attack” in recent years. Politics and institutions are increasingly presuming to define what counts as truth and what counts as “fake news.” Differing opinions would be defamed as “hatred and incitement”. However, it is precisely these developments that are the real danger to democracy and are dividing society, as Petry explained.
The fact that, contrary to this finding, many politicians would perceive expressions of opinion on social media as a threat only shows a lack of trust in both the citizens and in their own persuasive powers. According to Petry, democracy cannot function without a truly free, even controversial, political exchange of opinions.
Handler speaks out in favor of citizens’ councils
In order to counteract social polarization and the loss of trust in democratic institutions, Martina Handler spoke out in favor of new forms of democratic participation. It is essential that citizens see themselves as effective political actors and can understand the impact of their commitment in practice. Specifically, Handler suggested citizens’ councils, which should also be institutionally anchored. According to Handler’s idea, citizens selected at random, who are supposed to represent a cross-section of the population, develop recommendations for politics. These councils should not replace representative democracy, but rather “sensibly complement it”. Those involved learned to enter into an appreciative dialogue with people from different generations and backgrounds, which strengthened democratic coexistence. At the same time, this would increase respect for the political decision-making process, said Handler.
Statements by the parliamentary group leaders of the Federal Council
On the part of the parliamentary group leader of the Federal Council, Harald Himmer (ÖVP/W) first addressed the stated “scientific skepticism” of Austrians. Referring to “experts” appearing in the media who comment on political debates on television, Himmer described himself as a skeptic. The formation of opinions should be left to the recipients themselves. The same applies to political education in schools, where the focus should be on the acceptance of different views. With regard to the control rights within the framework of the separation of powers, Himmer spoke out against their abuse for the purposes of “nagging” or even “manhunts” against politicians.
SPÖ parliamentary group leader Korinna Schumann from Vienna also emphasized the importance of political education and the Federal Council, which represents an essential part of Austrian democracy. It is also important to enforce democratic co-determination rights in the workplace, for example in the form of works councils. Their founding is often “hindered”, which, according to Schumann, must be prevented by law. She expressed concern about the influence of social media platforms and algorithms on the formation of political opinions.
Current political developments do not exactly help to refute doubts about Austria’s democratic constitution, Andreas Arthur Spanring (FPÖ/St) referred to the awarding of the government formation contract to the ÖVP by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. Many people no longer feel heard by politicians, which is weakening democracy and dividing society. This is also due to the “downright destruction” of public discourse in recent years, through the defamation of people as “corona deniers”, “climate deniers” or “Putin understanders”. However, freedom of expression is the “heart of democracy” and it is important to live it in such a way that people regain trust in their institutions, said Spanring.
Marco Schreuder (Greens/W) made another plea for the Federal Council. For him, the regional chamber is one of the essential pillars of the Austrian system of “checks on whites”. Ideas for further developing this system could also be developed in citizens’ councils. With regard to social media, Schreuder was particularly concerned that one person alone sometimes decides what content is shown to billions of people. If social media platforms act as media, they must also be measured against their standards, such as journalistic due diligence, said Schreuder. (End of study) wit
A NOTICE: Photos from the Federal Council’s study and one Review of past events can be found in Parliament web portal. The Federal Council’s study was broadcast live in the Media library of Parliament and is available there as video-on-demand.
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**Interview with Herwig Hösele: Former President of the Federal Council of Austria**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Hösele. During today’s inquiry on strengthening democracy, you emphasized the critical role of the Federal Council. Can you elaborate on why you believe it is vital for Austrian democracy?
**Herwig Hösele:** Thank you for having me. The Federal Council is essential because it represents the federal structure of Austria, allowing for regional interests to be voiced at the national level. This federalism promotes resilience by ensuring that decisions are made closer to the citizens, fostering trust in democratic institutions. Simplifying its role under the guise of efficiency overlooks its importance in maintaining a balanced political system.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned promoting independent quality media and expanding political education. How do you envision achieving these goals?
**Herwig Hösele:** It’s crucial that we support independent journalism through funding and legal protections to ensure diverse voices are heard. Political education must be prioritized in schools and through lifelong learning initiatives to empower citizens with the knowledge to engage in democratic processes actively. Incorporating digital tools can also enhance this outreach.
**Interviewer:** Manfred Matzka spoke about practical reform steps, particularly in strengthening parliamentary control over state-affiliated companies. What are your thoughts on this approach?
**Herwig Hösele:** I fully support pragmatic reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within government institutions. Strengthening parliamentary oversight can counteract inefficiencies and corruption, providing citizens with the assurance that public resources are managed well.
**Interviewer:** Frauke Petry highlighted the threats to civil rights and freedom of speech. What steps should be taken to protect these essential democratic rights?
**Herwig Hösele:** Protecting civil rights requires a commitment to upholding constitutional values. We must resist political attempts to define what constitutes acceptable discourse or dismiss dissenting opinions. It’s vital that the public is educated about their rights and encouraged to engage in open discussions without fear of repression.
**Interviewer:** Martina Handler suggested institutionalizing citizens’ councils to enhance participation. How do you see this complementing representative democracy?
**Herwig Hösele:** Citizens’ councils can bridge the gap between the electorate and policymakers. By involving a diverse range of citizens in the decision-making process, we not only empower individuals but also gather valuable insights that can lead to more informed policies. This initiative can foster cooperation and trust among different societal groups, vital for a healthy democracy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Mr. Hösele, for your insights on these crucial issues regarding the future of democracy in Austria.
**Herwig Hösele:** Thank you for having me. It’s imperative that we continue these conversations to ensure a thriving democratic future.
