Reform of National Fund Approved by National Council

The National Council is gradually returning to its regular operations following the establishment of the new federal government. The upcoming plenary week will witness the first two regular sessions of the current legislative period. Although the agenda appears somewhat sparse in terms of legislative resolutions, two significant issues stand out: a change in the chairmanship of the National Fund and the anticipated reform of the ORF committees.

Changes in ORF Governance

The Constitutional Court has raised concerns regarding the government's influence in appointing board members for the ORF, emphasizing the need for reforms by the end of March. Time is of the essence, and a resolution through the constitutional committee is expected to be finalized on Thursday, just in time. The goal is to reduce political influence in these appointments. According to the government program, the number of representatives appointed by the government will decrease, while the Public Council will gain more members. Additionally, efforts will be made to diminish the government's role in filling positions within the Public Council.

Another key aspect of the upcoming legislation is the proposed freezing of the budget allocation until 2029, a decision that is also on the verge of being approved.

National Fund for Victims of National Socialism

The second major decision pertains to the National Fund for Victims of National Socialism. A legislative proposal initiated by the Green Party aims to allow the National Council President, Walter Rosenkranz, to delegate his responsibilities as the chair of the board. Currently, he automatically holds this position due to his office. However, there are significant concerns from the Jewish community and victim protection organizations regarding his appointment. Rosenkranz has indicated that he has not yet made a decision about stepping down. Should he choose to delegate his duties, they could be transferred to either the Second National Council President, Peter Haubner, or the Third National Council President, Doris Bures. Alternatively, the main committee of the National Council may be empowered to remove Rosenkranz as chair and appoint another member from the presidium to oversee the fund.

Question Hour with Chancellor Stocker

Another noteworthy event scheduled for Thursday is the 'Question Hour' featuring Chancellor Christian Stocker. This will be his first appearance in this format. The preceding session on Wednesday will commence with an 'Current Hour,' where the Green Party will select the topic, although the specific subject is yet to be disclosed. Additionally, the recently approved budget provisional will be adjusted to align with the new distribution of competencies that will take effect with the implementation of the Federal Ministries Act in early April. This adjustment will involve reallocating budgets, such as assigning the environmental budget to the Ministry of Agriculture and the active labor market policy budget to the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Additional Legislative Activities

Other matters on the agenda for both plenary days include various agreements, such as the modernization of the border treaty with Liechtenstein, alongside non-binding resolutions. For instance, the procurement commission within the Ministry of Defense will review all procurement, contracts, and industrial cooperation related to the Sky Shield program to ensure legal compliance and the prudent use of funds. The Freedom Party is also advocating for the abolition of the CO2 tax. Should any faction wish to raise a 'Urgent Inquiry,' it is expected that the Green Party will take the lead, unless the coalition factions, as is customary, refrain from doing so, which would allow the Freedom Party to initiate a corresponding proposal during the week.