They were appointed as ombudsmen

The National Council appointed Bernhard Achitz, Gabriela Schwarz, and Christoph Luisser as ombudsmen on Thursday. While Achitz, nominated by the SPÖ, and Schwarz, nominated by the ÖVP, retain their positions, the Freedom Party is sending Luisser for the first time, who was previously the regional security councilor in Lower Austria. The Greens voted against the appointment of the trio, pushing for a change in the appointment process.

Greens Want Change

Currently, the ombudsmen and ombudswomen are nominated by the three parties with the most mandates and elected by the National Council for six years. The Greens would ideally like the three parties with the most mandates to propose several candidates who would then undergo a hearing. Then, the best-qualified individuals could be elected, explained Green MP Agnes Sirkka Prammer. Her party colleague Olga Voglauer admitted that there was too little time for a legislative change, but had little understanding for the fact that a hearing was waived.

The coalition's government program also includes a mandatory hearing for designated ombudsmen and ombudswomen in parliament, as well as the examination of a reorganization of the appointment process. Douglas Hoyos (NEOS) made it clear that the appointment process should be made transparent. For reasons of time and budget, this has "unfortunately" not yet happened. A legislative change is to be initiated in the coming weeks, he said.

Luisser Succeeds Schwetz

Luisser is "excellently suited," emphasized FPÖ MP Norbert Nemeth. As a regional councilor, he always focused on people and the homeland in his work, he referred to his leading role in the implementation of the Corona fund in Lower Austria. Luisser was previously active as a lawyer and already has experience in the ombudsman office - as an advisor in the office of the then ombudsman and current National Council President Walter Rosenkranz (FPÖ).

Her predecessor Elisabeth Schwetz, who was only appointed as Ombudsperson in November 2024, had previously emphasized that she gladly accepted the "great responsibility." She is returning to her original profession as district governor in Wels-Land, said Nemeth, who thanked her.

Schwarz and Achitz Not New

There was also praise for the other officeholders. Schwarz is a "persistent fighter" who clearly and objectively points out grievances, said Martina Diesner-Wais. The former Minister for Women Susanne Raab (both ÖVP) praised her commitment to equality. Schwarz had previously stated that she wanted to remain "just as persistent and loud" as in the past. Bernhard Höfler (SPÖ) said about Achitz that he is an excellent lawyer as well as a recognized social and health expert.

Debate on the Green Party's Proposal

The National Council session ended on Thursday afternoon with an initial debate on the Green Party's proposal, which aims to change the selection process for ombudspersons. It would harm the ombudspersons that they could not claim to be independent of party politics, argued Voglauer. Criticism came from the other parties, particularly from FPÖ member Markus Tschank, who accused the Greens of attempting a "recoloring." The proposal was eventually referred to the responsible committee.

The next National Council session will take place on June 16. It marks the beginning of the budget week, during which the budget accompanying law is to be passed. The package, which includes 72 legislative amendments, a new law, and a separate enactment provision, comprises 700 pages with explanations, as reported by the parliamentary correspondence. It includes, among other things, the more difficult access to the corridor pension, the abolition of the climate bonus, the retention of one-third of the "cold progression," but also the expansion of electronic monitoring rules.

(APA/Red)

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