European Rule of Law Mechanism Austrian Input European Rule of Law Mechanism Austrian Input Vienna, May 2020 Imprint Austrian Federal Chancellery Ballhausplatz 2, 1010 Vienna +43 1 531 15-0
[email protected] bundeskanzleramt.gv.at Design: BKA Design & Grafik Vienna, 2020 Contents Introduction 5 I Justice System 7 A Independence 8 B Quality of justice 15 C Efficiency of the justice system 18 II Anti-corruption framework 25 A The institutional framework capacity to fight against corruption (prevention and investigation / prosecution) 25 B Prevention 28 C Repressive measures 37 III Media Pluralism 42 A Media regulatory authorities and bodies 43 B Transparency of media ownership and government interference 45 C Framework for journalists’ protection 47 IV Other institutional issues related to checks and balances 50 A The process for preparing and enacting laws 50 B Independent authorities 53 C Accessibility and judicial review of administrative decisions 58 D The enabling framework for civil society 61 Introduction Respect for the rule of law in the Member States and the Union is an important foun- dation for the cooperation within the EU. There can be no compromises on European fundamental values. In its 2020–2024 programme, the Austrian Federal Government emphasises the importance of respecting fundamental European values, advocates strengthening the instruments for safeguarding the rule of law at European level and provides for a number of initiatives at national level. Austria strongly supports the new Rule of Law Cycle proposed by the European Commis- sion in July 2019 and considers the regular and systematic review of all Member States to be an essential step towards strengthening the rule of law.