Austria's Anna Sporrer to revise judicial reform draft

Justice Minister Anna Sporrer has announced plans to fundamentally revise a draft law concerning the restructuring of the Austrian Federal Prosecutor's Office. The decision follows an eight-week review period during which approximately 800 statements were submitted, the vast majority of which were critical of the initial proposal.

To ensure the new leadership remains truly independent and decoupled from political legislative cycles, Sporrer is proposing to extend the term of office for the three-person leadership body from six years to at least nine years. This change aims to prevent influence from political parties or defense interests.

Key points of the ongoing debate include the composition of the selection commission—which currently includes judicial representatives, lawyers, and university professors—and the extent of parliamentary oversight. Critics, including high-ranking judicial officials, have expressed concerns regarding the role of Parliament in selecting prosecutors and the potential for political interference in criminal proceedings.