Austrian prosecutor reform faces criticism over political influence concerns

The review period for a proposed law to restructure the Austrian Federal Prosecutor's Office has concluded, drawing significant criticism from legal experts, NGOs, and political opposition. The draft legislation, proposed by the governing coalition, aims to establish an independent leadership for the judiciary consisting of three individuals appointed for six-year terms.

Under the proposal, an expert commission would select candidates to recommend to the National Council. However, critics argue the reform fails to prevent political influence. Amnesty International Austria welcomed the step toward decoupling the prosecutor's office from the Minister of Justice but warned that the National Council could repeatedly reject candidates without justification, potentially leading to political blockades.

Furthermore, the General Prosecutor's Office at the Supreme Court expressed concerns that the reform might result in a “massive deterioration compared to the status quo,” noting that the process could create the appearance of partisan selection rather than eliminating political influence. To pass, the legislation requires a two-thirds majority in the National Council, meaning the coalition must secure support from either the FPÖ or the Greens.