Future of Freedom: National Council discusses explosive laws before the summer break

Future of Freedom: National Council discusses explosive laws before the summer break

The Austrian National Council is about to have an extensive agenda for the next three plenary days from Wednesday to Friday. Among other things, the central topics dealt with in the meetings include the controversial surveillance of Messenger services. [5min.at] (https://www.5min.at/5202507031532/das-steht-im-nationalrat-vor-derpause-auf-dem program/) reports on the introduction of a draft law that was presented on April 8 and is subject to the fundamental rights and data protection aspects.

The discussion about messenger monitoring is intensive and is weighted differently by various political camps. While the Interior Ministry, led by the ÖVP, classifies the legislative proposal as a constitutional, the green coalition partner is ready to talk, but requires improvements. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler emphasizes that the proposals of the law must be compliant with fundamental rights. This is also criticized by SPÖ security spokesman Reinhold Einwallner, who criticizes the inability of the Interior Minister to present a constitutional draft. According to orf.at there was a thwarted terrorist attack that reinforced the conversation about the need for such surveillance.

diverse topics on the agenda

In addition to the messenger monitoring, there are other important topics on the Agenda of the National Council, including the creation of a sub-pension law and the ban on Dick-Pics and the introduction of a marriage ban for under 18 year olds. A change in the tobacco and non-smoking protection law will also be discussed on Thursday, which is intended to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products. These topics were considered necessary due to social developments to ensure protection for young people and for the general public [5min.at] (https://www.5min.at/5202507031532/das-steht-im-nationalrat-vor-der-Sommerpause-auf-dem program/).

On Friday, the plenary will discuss a resolution on the candidacy for a non-independent seat in the UN Security Council 2027/28. Furthermore, the introduction of orientation classes at schools for immigrant children is a discussed point. Another point of the agenda is a possible formal use of an investigation committee of the FPÖ, which depends on the approval of the regulatory committee. This shows how diverse the topics that the National Council wants to deal with before the summer break.

criticism of the surveillance measures

The planned messenger monitoring met with considerable concerns on the part of various political actors and data protection officers. Critics warn of a massive interference with the fundamental rights of citizens. In particular, there is concern that such measures could be used against opposition, journalists and whistleblower. The draft law sees the surveillance of devices such as smartphones and laptops before inside-politics.at.

The introduction of a “state trojan” for monitoring encrypted communication services such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal has sometimes triggered great fears among the population. Data protection officers and lawyers express concerns about possible security gaps and abuse options. According to the present draft law, measures are only to be taken with a prison sentence of at least ten years if terrorist crimes are suspected, which continues to be questionable [Inside-politics.at] (https://www.inside-politics.at/ Messenger-Ueberwachung-Schwacht-werft-Weht- on 40/).

The National Council will be closed to visitors from July 21st and from August 25th to 31, 2025, and the first meeting in autumn is scheduled for September 24, 2025. In the meantime, it remains to be seen how the discussions about the points mentioned will go out.