The government is planning clear measures against the rules of Sharia.
The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) announced plans to permanently ban the application of Islamic law in the country. This came after a controversial ruling issued by the regional civil court in Vienna, which upheld a decision by an arbitration panel that relied on Islamic law to resolve a contractual dispute. The case sparked widespread political debate and prompted the ÖVP and FPÖ parties to call for stricter measures.
The Secretary General of the Austrian People's Party, Nico Marchetti, confirmed that the government's work program explicitly aims to prevent the influence of Sharia on Austrian laws and regulations, especially regarding employment regulations. He explained that rulings based on Sharia can cause significant harm, particularly if they undermine women's rights by treating them as second-class citizens, emphasizing that such practices will not be tolerated in Austria.
Marketi warned against allowing the application of rules based on Sharia in civil law, describing it as an attempt to legitimize a strict way of life under the guise of freedom of contract. He emphasized that the legal system and the fundamental values of Austria should remain the foundation of social life, ensuring justice across all religious and intellectual affiliations. He considered these principles non-negotiable.
The controversial case revolves around an agreement between two men to resolve business disputes through arbitration according to Islamic law. After one of them was asked to pay 320,000 euros, he challenged the legality of the decision, arguing that Sharia is interpreted in different ways and contradicts Austrian principles. However, the court in Vienna upheld the ruling, considering that claims related to property can, in principle, be subject to arbitration under Sharia, as long as they do not violate Austria's fundamental legal values.
On his part, the constitutional spokesman for the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), Michael Schilchgr, strongly criticized the court's decision, considering it a dangerous concession to "Islamic parallel societies." He warned that recognizing Sharia-based arbitration threatens Austria's constitutional order. He called for urgent legislative reforms, announcing his party's intention to propose a new amendment to the Islam Law, ensuring that implicit recognition of Sharia by Austrian courts or authorities is not possible.