• The deadline for implementing the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive expires on Thursday, aiming to curb strategic lawsuits against public participation that intimidate civil society and media.
  • Austria’s Justice Ministry has not yet presented a draft law, reportedly finished last autumn, due to coalition disagreements.
  • The directive only covers cross-border cases, but experts and NGOs urge inclusion of domestic cases for effectiveness.
  • According to the CASE coalition report, 1,303 SLAPP cases were documented in Europe between 2010 and 2024, 23 in Austria, with over 90% being domestic.
  • Experts demand full cost reimbursement for SLAPP victims, deterrent fines proportional to the plaintiff’s financial power, and early dismissal of frivolous lawsuits.

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