ÖVP nomination in ORF: FPÖ speaks of embarrassing failure!

ÖVP nomination in ORF: FPÖ speaks of embarrassing failure!

In a current discussion about the composition of the ORF bodies, the FPÖ media spokesman Christian Hafenecker sharply criticized the ÖVP. On May 22, 2025, he explained that the nomination of the state party chairman of the heart, as a member of the ORF public council, was an "embarrassing attempt" to undermine the ORF bodies. Hafeneck also criticized that the ÖVP obviously had no knowledge of the incompatibility provisions in the ORF law, which in his opinion reflects the poor condition of the party and represent it as hungry for power. In addition, Peter Westenthaler, the ORF Foundation Council nominated by the FPÖ, was horrified by this situation.

Westenthaler criticized that the ÖVP had not managed to carry out legally compliant orders for the ORF bodies. He warned that the influence of the government on the ORF Foundation Council may violate a judgment of the Constitutional Court (VfGH), since nine boarding council members are sent by the public council, which is an inadmissible influence. The VfGH recently declared parts of the ORF law to be unconstitutional and lifted the provisions on the order and composition of the board of trustees and the public council.

unconstitutionalities in the ORF law

The VfGH has determined that the legal regulations for ordering and composition of the committees violate the requirement of independence and pluralistic composition. This applies in particular to the assignment of members by the Federal Government, which is responsible for nine members of the Board of Trustees, while the public council can only nominate six members. This regulation is to be classified as an attack on the pluralism requirement of the radio BVG.

until March 31, 2025, new legal regulations must be created in order to remove the unconstitutional provisions. Up to this date there is an urgent need for action, since the current composition of the bodies endangers the independence of the ORF. The media minister is currently examining the judgment of the VfGH, while the Greens call for a reform of the committees.

political pressure and reform claims

The decision of the VfGH and the associated reform claims can not only be heard from political actors such as the FPÖ, which demands a comprehensive reform and the abolition of ORF compulsory tax. Other parties, such as the NEOS, also call for discussions with all factions to find a common path to depoliticizing the ORF. Burgenland Governor Hans Peter Doskozil sees the decision of the VfGH as an order to depolitize the ORF, which is evaluated by the SPÖ as confirmation of its criticism of the influence of the government on the ORF bodies.

The challenges in front of which the ORF are complex are complex and require a well -founded examination of the current and future compositions of the bodies. The board of trustees remains able to act until the new regulation, but the question of independence and compliance with constitutional commandments is in the room. The Association of Austrian newspapers (VöZ) immediately calls for a comprehensive ORF reform to rethink the solidified structures in the media landscape.