Gewessler criticizes government inaction on sexual offense law reform

Leonore Gewessler, the leader of the Greens, expressed her criticism of the Austrian government's inaction regarding the tightening of sexual offense laws during a demonstration against violence towards women on Friday. The proposed reform, which aims to introduce the consent principle "Only Yes Means Yes," was promised by Justice Minister Anna Sporrer and Women's Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner last year for the second quarter of 2026. However, the government has made no progress so far.

According to Gewessler, nothing has happened since the announcements made last year. The criticism focuses on the missed deadline for the intended "Only Yes Means Yes" principle, which is expected to be a central component of the reform.