Austria’s ORF-Household Tax Levy Sparks Ongoing Debate
A recent initiative against the ORF household tax levy has garnered significant support, with 119,368 signatures collected, exceeding the required threshold. This will force the National Council to engage with the demands of the initiators. Two other initiatives, however, failed to reach the necessary quorum.
Registration of Initiatives Ends with Mixed Results
Three initiatives were open to public signature, with a collection period from March 31 to April 8. While the initiative against the ORF compulsory fee succeeded, two other proposals fell short of expectations.
The “Auto Initiative: Reduce Costs!”, which aimed to lower taxes and fees for vehicles, received 58,201 supporters. A petition against the financial enrichment of initiators of such petitions, however, only managed to collect 33,185 signatures.
Manuel Plöchl, a community employee from Lower Austria and the initiator of the anti-enrichment initiative, criticized the increasing use of initiatives as a business model.
Organizers of successful initiatives are reimbursed for their costs in a fivefold amount. To counter this incentive, Plöchl called for a reform of the financial reimbursements. Despite collaborating with Gerhard Lustig, the initiator of the Auto Initiative, the necessary quorum was not reached.
ORF Compulsory Fee Remains Controversial
The success of the initiative against the ORF household tax levy shows that a significant part of the population remains dissatisfied with the new regulation. Robert Marschall, the responsible initiator, has previously launched several initiatives, including a successful one against Corona measures.
The high level of participation in this initiative highlights the ongoing resistance to the compulsory fee for financing the public broadcasting service. The National Council now has to engage with the demands of the citizens.