Stomping ground for spies

Russian agent thriller gives politicians a leg up

Vienna has always been considered the capital of spies.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com, Krone KREATIV)

After the revelations about Russian espionage in the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, there is a thirst for action. Austria's political parties want tougher laws. 

Vienna has been a hotbed for agents ever since the 1949 film classic "The Third Man", a tradition that goes back to the days of the monarchy. So far, everyone has lived well with it.

Spy thriller triggers hectic rush
The latest revelations about Russian spies in the constitutional service have suddenly triggered a flurry of activity in domestic politics. Suddenly everyone wants to change the laws - but at least there is unity for once, even the FPÖ is on board. This development has to do not least with Russia's new role as a clear enemy.

The ÖVP insists on more online surveillance
Justice Minister Alma Zadić (Greens) has led the way by announcing a tightening of the espionage paragraph. In future, espionage by foreign intelligence services will not only be punishable in this country if it is directed against Austrian interests, but also if other states or international organizations are spied on. This has not been the case until now.

The latest espionage affair could lead to a tightening of the law.

(Bild: APA/HERBERT PFARRHOFER)

The coalition partner ÖVP and all other parliamentary parties support the proposal. Even the Freedom Party can imagine tougher penalties. However, the People's Party links its approval to enabling the monitoring of messenger services such as WhatsApp or Telegram (keyword: federal Trojan).

"Quickly derive a law on measures"
This demand by the ÖVP, which has been on the table for some time, has so far been rejected by the Greens. "What is now coming to light is worrying for me as Chancellor. It is now a question of how quickly and how quickly we can use this information to derive a law on measures so that the judiciary can do its job and push ahead with the investigations in cooperation with the security authorities," party leader and Federal Chancellor Nehammer told the newspaper "Krone". 

In my view, it is therefore important to change the legal situation, as proposed by the Minister of Justice, with the addition that this only makes sense if the defense is also strengthened. I can only combat espionage effectively if the services are given sufficient tools to do so. That means electronic reconnaissance that enables rapid intervention."

Espionage affair as an election campaign issue
Unsurprisingly, the affair surrounding the Russian spy in the former BVT is also being used for the election campaign. The ÖVP refers almost daily to the alleged spy Egisto Ott's links to the FPÖ, SPÖ, NEOS and ex-politician Peter Pilz.