ÖVP rejects draft

Election campaign costs: 2/3 majority not in sight

Election advertising in Burgenland: In future, an upper limit of 300,000 euros is to apply to the parties.

(Bild: Huber Patrick)

The new law on party funding has met with criticism from the People's Party. "The SPÖ is not playing fair", says ÖVP party leader Markus Ulram. The draft is therefore likely to fall short of a two-thirds majority in parliament.

As reported, the SPÖ intends to submit the draft bill for review this week. The key point is a new upper limit of 300,000 euros for election campaign costs. The decision is planned for June. A two-thirds majority in the state parliament would also make it possible for the state audit office to carry out checks.

ÖVP party leader Markus Ulram

(Bild: P. Huber)

The People's Party misses the same rules for all
However, the ÖVP rejects the idea: "Limiting election campaign costs is fundamentally the right thing to do," says Markus Ulram, head of the ÖVP parliamentary group. However, the same rules must apply to everyone and this political fair play does not exist with the SPÖ. The opposition parties are being restricted in their ability to advertise their content, programs and people. At the same time, the governor is not prepared to refrain from party political abuse in his state media.

Greens see key demands met
The Greens, on the other hand, will vote in favor of the draft: "Because key demands made by us have been met," explains club leader Regina Petrik. For example, members, functionaries and elected representatives will be able to donate 1000 euros for their own party work. "This is essential for us as a small party, because otherwise local candidates would hardly have a budget," says Petrik.

Freedom Party: "Disinformation by the SPÖ"
Fierce criticism comes from the FPÖ. The planned regulation would enable complete disinformation by the SPÖ provincial government: "The fact is that Governor Doskozil is deliberately leaving out the expenses for personal committees, for example, from the election campaign cost limit in order not to jeopardize his election campaign plan, which is apparently already in the drawer," says Alexander Petschnig, head of the provincial government.