Cash in danger? Nehammer struggles for consumer rights in Austria!

Cash in danger? Nehammer struggles for consumer rights in Austria!

In the middle of the debate for the protection of consumers, NABG. Peter Wurm from the FPÖ has spicy criticism of the current government. During a committee on consumer safety on March 11, 2025, all applications from the FPÖ, which committed themselves for the consumer, were postponed by the parties ÖVP, NEOS and SPÖ. Wurm described this as a shocking ignorance of the interests of the public and only accused the "Zuckerl coalition" to please the EU and the automated future. "Complete standstill in consumer protection," summed up Wurm, who emphasized the need for a right to cash and analog participation in government services, while he warned of the dangers of an increasing surveillance state.

The increasing concern about the abolition of cash in Austria is particularly explosive. In an interview, Chancellor Karl Nehammer emphasized that people in the Alpine Republic had a “right to cash”. "More and more people are concerned that cash could be restricted as a means of payment," said Nehammer. In order to clear up these concerns, he plans to anchor the right to cash in the Austrian federal constitution. Nehammer also wants to ensure a basic supply of cash in order to guarantee the independence and crisis provision of citizens. This comes against the background of the EU initiatives for the introduction of a digital euro, which according to Nehammer may not restrict consumers' freedom of choice, as

conflict between consumer protection and digital future

The dispute over cash and digital payment methods is also reflected in other political arguments. According to ots.at , access to analog payment options and services is increasingly regarded as indispensable, especially in view of digitization in many areas of life. Wurm calls for the legal and factual implementation of civil rights - this includes the right to your own means of payment as well as access to analog services. While the FPÖ campaigns for the rights of consumers, the other parties remain silent and disinterested.