Vienna, a city synonymous with shady Cold War intrigue, has once again become the espionage capital of Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — and Austria’s government seems in no rush to change that.
After an explosion in undercover activity, the country’s three largest opposition parties in spring jointly backed legislative changes to finally criminalise espionage in Austria. But months later, their efforts have got nowhere thanks to repeated government stalling.
“We have pointed out this abuse for a long time,” said Stephanie Krisper, an MP with the liberal Neos party championing the legislative drive to criminalise spying on Austrian soil. “But nothing has been changed in the penal code, with dire consequences.”