ORF Foundation Council Complete After Election

Following a change in the law, the ORF Foundation Council was reconstituted. This change was in response to a ruling by the Constitutional Court, which criticized the excessive influence of the federal government in the appointment of ORF bodies. The number of government representatives on the Foundation Council was reduced from nine to six, while the number of representatives from the ORF Audience Council was increased from six to nine. Additionally, the positions were publicly advertised and a professional qualification had to be justified.

ORF Foundation Council: After Election with Fewer Foundation Members

The ORF Foundation Council has 35 independent, honorary members. These are appointed by the government (6), parliamentary parties (6), federal states (9), ORF Audience Council (9), and ORF Central Works Council (5) and, apart from several exceptions, are organized in politically affiliated "friendship circles." Members may not be politicians or otherwise active for a party. While the ÖVP had a majority with members sent by them and those close to them in the previous period, this is no longer the case. Over ten foundation council members are close to the ÖVP and the SPÖ, with the latter group having grown significantly and some other independent foundation council members showing a tendency towards the SPÖ. The FPÖ, as the strongest parliamentary party, and NEOS, as part of the federal government, now also send more people. They each have three people close to them on the Foundation Council. Only one person is now close to the Greens.

Election of Director General by ORF Foundation Council in Summer 2026

The Foundation Council appoints the ORF Director General every five years and shortly thereafter, on their proposal, up to four directors and nine regional directors. The next time will be in 2026, with ORF chief Roland Weißmann recently indicating again that he is not averse to reapplying. The council members approve financial and staffing plans as well as other significant corporate decisions. The Foundation Council also decides on increases in ORF fees and annually on the financial statements and program schedule of the public broadcaster. These decisions are made by a simple majority, i.e., 18 votes. However, the removal of the Director General would require a two-thirds majority, i.e., 24 votes. In the event of a tie, the chairman's vote decides. The ORF Director General must report to the Foundation Council like a board reports to the supervisory board of a corporation. The term of office of the Foundation Council lasts four years, calculated from the first day of the meeting.

Overview of ORF Foundation Council Members

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

NATIONAL COUNCIL PARTIES

FEDERAL STATES

ORF CENTRAL WORKS COUNCIL

ORF AUDIENCE COUNCIL

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.