‘End Favoritism’: Transparency International Calls for Reforms

‘End Favoritism’: Transparency International Calls for Reforms

APA/HERBERT NEUBAUER

Shortly before the expected start of coalition negotiations, Transparency International Austria has addressed demands to the future federal government. Combating corruption must be a priority in the upcoming legislative period, the NGO stated on Saturday. It has presented ten demands to the parties represented in the National Council, including the long-unrealized independent leadership for public prosecutors and strengthening the whistleblower system.

“The business environment suffers from Austria’s reputation as a country where everything can be arranged if you’re part of the ‘inner circle,'” said Transparency Chair Bettina Knötzl. Austria therefore needs a government that takes the fight against corruption seriously and makes it a central focus of its work.

Specifically, Transparency advocates for strengthening public prosecutors—particularly the Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (WKStA)—by, for example, reducing reporting obligations. Additional demands include improving whistleblower protection, enhancing freedom of information and media independence, and implementing administrative reforms. These reforms should include stricter rezoning regulations, clearer rules for conflicts of interest, and mandatory compliance training for mayors. Measures against cronyism, expanding ethical, political, and economic education in schools, and introducing a corruption register are also part of the demands.

The ten points for combating corruption, sent to the parties on Friday, must be included in the future coalition’s government program and could be implemented within the first 100 days of the new government, Knötzl stated: “Austria’s culture of favoritism must finally be relegated to the dustbin of Austrian history.”

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