EU Election 2024: Where Do Politicians Stand on Bitcoin?

In the US presidential campaign, Bitcoin has been a topic for some time. In Austria, there is almost no political discussion on the subject. We invited the lead candidates of all parties running in the EU election, along with up to five additional candidates on their lists, to answer a few questions about “Bitcoin and Fundamental Rights in the Digital Age”. One week before the election, we sent reminders via press officers and party headquarters.

As of June 6 at noon, we have received responses from Anna Stürgkh of NEOS and Günther Hopfgartner of the KPÖ.

Common Ground #

Both Stürgkh and Hopfgartner have not yet used Bitcoin personally. In their personal assessment, both distinguish between “Bitcoin” and other “crypto projects.” They both agreed with the statements: “Bitcoin is an important innovation,” “Blockchain and the ‘tokenization’ of real things are the real innovation,” “Bitcoin will become even more significant in the future,” and “Bitcoin increases financial privacy.”

Differences on Fundamental Rights and Privacy #

Differences emerge in the area of fundamental rights protection and privacy. While both demand that the “right to secure and confidential communication” should also apply on the internet, the KPÖ wants to significantly restrict privacy in economic matters. The KPÖ supports a wealth registry and transparency about every individual, favors banning anonymous Bitcoin donations, and supports amount limits on Bitcoin payments similar to those for cash.

According to Anna Stürgkh of NEOS, privacy-friendly, anonymous Bitcoin payments for goods and services — as well as donations — should be permitted without special restrictions.

Günther Hopfgartner is rather critical of introducing a central bank digital currency (CBDC), while Anna Stürgkh views it neutrally.

When asked about their personal Bitcoin knowledge, both expressed interest in Bitcoin but also said they had not yet sufficiently informed themselves.

And the Other Parties and Candidates? #

Silence.

Judge Them by Their Actions! #

Just in April, the European Parliament voted on restrictions to the use of cash and cryptocurrencies — once again under the pretext of “combating money laundering and terrorism financing.” The voting behavior of Austrian MEPs reveals clear contradictions:

• ÖVP: Publicly demands the protection of cash in Austria, yet in the European Parliament, all ÖVP MEPs voted against the free use of cash.
• SPÖ: Wants an ATM in every municipality and simultaneously calls for upper limits, yet in the European Parliament, all SPÖ MEPs voted for massive restrictions on cash use.
• Grüne: Advocate for cash limits in Austria and at the EU level, and the Green MEPs voted accordingly for the restrictions.
• FPÖ: The FPÖ’s voting behavior was consistent: the Freedom Party is among Austria’s strongest cash advocates. In the European Parliament, all FPÖ MEPs present voted against the restrictions.
• NEOS: The sole NEOS MEP, Claudia Gamon, abstained from the vote. She is not running again for the European Parliament.
• KPÖ: Not represented in the European Parliament.

Source on voting behavior: mepwatch.eu - roll call vote on A9-0151