The 2024 national election programs of Austria’s parliamentary parties reveal different approaches to the topic of digitalization. communication matters has analyzed the key points.
SPÖ: Digital Equality for All
“Our older generation deserves respect. No one should be disadvantaged just because they prefer not to do everything digitally,” states the SPÖ in their election platform. While the party supports the digitalization of public administration, they also advocate for maintaining analog structures to prevent age discrimination and address the needs of older citizens.
The SPÖ’s digital agenda focuses on child protection and equitable access to digital resources. The introduction of “Digital Literacy” in schools is intended to ensure that children can navigate the digital space confidently and safely.
To counteract the “loss of knowledge and high potentials,” the SPÖ plans to heavily support fundamental and in-depth AI research. The party emphasizes that digitalization should benefit everyone, not just the big corporations. As stated in their platform: “We see digitalization as a tool for securing our economic position, reducing working hours, and ensuring fair distribution within society.”
Another key priority is combating fake news. The party proposes the introduction of a “My Media Subscription,” which would provide all Austrians aged 16 to 30 with an annual subscription option for a journalistic print or online medium, fully funded by the Austrian state. This initiative aims to democratize media support and make high-quality journalism more accessible.
NEOS: Efficiency, Innovation, and Education in the Digital Age
NEOS seeks to fully digitalize Austria’s public administration with the goal to make life easier and more efficient for citizens. Their goal is to streamline administrative processes and make them quicker and more accessible.
In the field of artificial intelligence, NEOS advocates for innovation by creating regulatory sandboxes—special zones with relaxed regulations—to foster experimentation. They also aim to establish clear regulatory frameworks and quality certifications for the use of AI technologies.
Under the slogan “Bringing schools into the 21st century,” NEOS promotes further training for teachers to effectively use digital devices. They also want universities to offer a mix of online and in-person study programs. Similar to the SPÖ, NEOS places great importance on media and digital literacy in schools to fight the spread of fake news.
The Greens: Sustainability and Ethics at the Core
The Greens position themselves as active shapers of the digital transformation, viewing it as a key tool in combating the climate crisis. They advocate for eco-friendly investments that create jobs and boost the economy. “Our technology policy is driven by social goals,” they assert, emphasizing the need for a systemic shift.
In their digital policy, the Greens call for clear regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence, ensuring that AI applications are people-centered and free from discrimination. They focus on legal frameworks that protect data privacy and fundamental rights while rejecting mass surveillance. Their vision also includes safeguarding critical infrastructure, supporting net neutrality, and promoting the use of open-source software and hardware. Furthermore, they aim to expand the e-sports sector and position Austria as a leading hub for digital gaming.
FPÖ: Privacy Protection and Preserving Analog Options
The FPÖ advocates for major tech companies to contribute to supporting Austrian media. “Austrian media should benefit from Big Tech companies,” the party states in its platform. They propose a “digital advertising support levy,” the proceeds of which would fund a national media pool. This model aims to strengthen domestic media and provide tax incentives for advertising in Austrian outlets.
The FPÖ opposes the European digital identity initiative, citing concerns from experts about the eIDAS regulation. They also reject the concept of a mandatory “digital wallet,” which they view as a step toward a surveillance state.
“Analog instead of digital” is the FPÖ’s stance, as they fight to preserve analog structures and emphasize the right to live an analog life without facing disadvantages. This, they argue, is essential to combating age discrimination.
While the FPÖ is cautious regarding digitalization, they do support a “digital revolution” in artificial intelligence within Europe, aiming to boost Austria’s international competitiveness. The party calls for clear regulations to curb excessive data collection by major tech companies and stresses the importance of privacy protection, avoiding surveillance, and preventing censorship on the internet.
ÖVP: Comprehensive Digitalization and Innovation
The ÖVP’s digitalization strategy is guided by the Digital Austria Act 2023, which focuses on improving digital infrastructure. This includes the rollout of ID Austria as a universal key for digital and governmental services, along with initiatives to enhance digital literacy through targeted education programs. A major goal is to simplify digital administration with the “Once only” principle, reducing bureaucracy and easing the burden on citizens and businesses.
The ÖVP also prioritizes fostering innovation in AI research and digital infrastructure to strengthen Austria’s position as a leading digital hub. They propose establishing a “GovTech Campus” as a platform for modernizing public administration and digitalization. Additionally, they aim to develop an e-sports competence center to support the growing e-sports community. “We want to leverage the opportunities of digitalization while protecting the digital identity of our citizens,” explains the ÖVP.
Conclusion
The SPÖ and FPÖ emphasize the importance of maintaining analog options, while other parties view digitalization as a tool to reduce costs, ease the burden on the healthcare system, and simplify public administration. Artificial intelligence is a key focus for all parties, with broad support for its advancement.
The varying positions of the parties, particularly regarding the pace and scope of digitalization, require public affairs agencies to develop tailored strategies for each party. At the same time, the cross-party recognition of the importance of digitalization presents an opportunity for companies and organizations to establish themselves as essential experts and thought leaders in this forward-looking policy area. Businesses and associations can position themselves as competent partners by contributing concrete proposals for shaping funding programs and regulatory frameworks.
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