Freedom of Information: Amendment of Vienna State Laws
The Vienna State Parliament implemented the Freedom of Information Act, passed by the federal government, into Vienna state law today, Thursday. Numerous state laws were adjusted to the new regulations. However, the corresponding red-pink proposal also sparked criticism. The opposition fears restrictions on the right to question for the members of the municipal council.
Federal Government Passed Freedom of Information Act
The Freedom of Information Act stipulates that public authorities are obliged to provide information starting in September. This also applies to states and municipalities. The official secrecy or confidentiality is thus considered abolished. Information of general interest must henceforth be published "proactively" by state bodies and larger municipalities.
According to federal regulations, provisions have now been adjusted. Primarily, it involves replacing the term "confidentiality" with "secrecy." Regulations such as the municipal election code, building regulations, or subsidy laws are being changed. The city constitution is also affected.
Greens and ÖVP Object to Change
However, the Greens and ÖVP object to a change here. The adaptations made in the city constitution would lead to the restriction of the right of interpellation - that is, the right to question of the municipal councilors - it is complained. Previously, there was no obligation of confidentiality towards the municipal council and state parliament, the parties argue.
This would now change, criticized Green municipal councilor David Ellensohn to the APA. He was annoyed that deviating from the new secrecy obligation in inquiries is only possible by majority decision in the municipal council - meaning one needs the approval of the governing factions to be able to make inquiries to city government members. Ellensohn simply regarded this as "mockery."
Greens Looked to Upper Austria
"The Greens will not agree to a deterioration of freedom of information," he announced. Other federal states have handled this better. Even in Upper Austria, governed by the black-blue coalition, members of the state parliament have a more extensive right to question after the adaptation of freedom of information than will be the case in Vienna, said Ellensohn.
"It is more than obvious that the city government is once again trying to restrict and undermine the rights of the opposition," stated the ÖVP club chairman, Harald Zierfuß. Official secrecy did not apply to inquiries, but now reasons for confidentiality are also being introduced for municipal council members, he criticized. The opposition also complained that the amendment was only introduced a week ago through an initiative motion.
Non-executive city councilor Ulrike Nittmann (FPÖ) also expressed her anger in her speech in the state parliament about a restriction on opposition rights. And in opposition, she warned the pink faction, the NEOS could also find themselves again in the future.
No Approval from Vienna Opposition
SPÖ representative Thomas Reindl pointed out in his state parliament speech that rules are being adopted one-to-one, which were decided by the ÖVP and Greens at the federal level. To call this a restriction is "very, very cheap and polemical," he stated. "That the rights of the opposition are being restricted here is not comprehensible." However, there is information that cannot be published for security reasons, he explained.
NEOS club chairwoman Selma Arapovic also rejected the opposition's accusations - although they were not convinced. The adaptations were only passed in the afternoon with the votes of the governing factions SPÖ and NEOS. FPÖ, Greens, and ÖVP refused to approve.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.