2023-06-20 07:02:49
The government intends to present a draft law to abolish official secrecy in the next few weeks. “We are on the last few meters when it comes to freedom of information. I assume that the parliamentary process can start by autumn at the latest,” said Constitutional Minister Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP) on Monday evening at the business talk of Thomas Prantner’s consulting agency C3.
Work has been going on for years to abolish official secrecy. At the beginning of the year, the freedom of information package was announced for the first half of 2023. Most recently, Edtstadler and Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) made a number of rounds with states, municipalities and cities. Above all in the municipalities, resistance is high because of the feared bureaucracy.
“It will come,” Minister Edtstadler now assured. The fact that the work on freedom of information is taking so long is not in vain. “It’s a true paradigm shift. We’re getting rid of official secrecy that dates back to 1925.” The administration can no longer hide behind official secrecy. That’s why it “needed a lot of persuasion for those who were worried”. We have spoken intensively with countries, municipalities and cities. “Anyone who has run a marathon knows that the last few kilometers are the hardest.”
Once once more, Edtstadler pleaded for a strengthening of the accused’s rights in preliminary proceedings – keyword ban on citation from criminal files – and renewed her criticism of the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA). However, Edtstadler no longer expects reforms in this area during this legislative period. “I’m not naive. That’s not going to happen.” But you will stay tuned to the judicial issues.
Edtstadler wants to remain in the federal government until the end of the legislative period. “You won’t see me on a list for the elections to the European Parliament. I’m not running for that. I’m a federal minister. I want to stay that way to the end. We’ll see what comes following that.”
Under FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl, the ÖVP minister would not want to be part of any government team. “I’m not available for Chancellor Herbert Kickl,” was the clear statement. The reason for this is her experience as State Secretary alongside Interior Minister Kickl. “I know him well, I know how he ticks.” However, Edtstadler assumes that this will not happen in the first place. “We have a good year to prevent this ‘bogeyman’ Herbert Kickl from becoming Chancellor.”
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