Austria: Move to Ban Sharia Law

In an interview with an Austrian newspaper, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has called for a ban on the use of Sharia law in Austria. Whether that happens apparently depends on the opinions of other coalition partners in the government, as well as certain government ministers.

The article below in Die Presse is translated by Fousesquawk.

Sharia-ban: Neos (New Austria and Liberal Party) and SPO (Social Democrat Party of Austria)  generally agreeable to change in law, Justice Ministry skeptical

The coalition partners of the SPO (Social Democratic Party of Austria) are generally in agreement with the changes. The SPO, however, first wants to hear specific suggestions. The SPO-led Justice Ministry warns of hasty decisions. 

Caption: Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker wants a Sharia ban

December 30, 2025 at 11:10

In an interview with the Standard, Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker has called for a ban on Sharia. He is not willing to accept Sharia being applied in Austria, even in individual provisions.  This would be a legal system for a religious state, which contradicts our values. We should send a clear signal even if, in specific cases, there is no contradiction to our own laws. The Austrian People’s Party now wants to ban the use of Sharia law in Austria permanently. If it were up to them, a corresponding proposal could be adopted in January at the government retreat. However, that would first need an agreement with the coalition partners. 

On Tuesday, the SPO took a wait-and-see attitude, but did not reject the proposal out of hand. “It is our opinion that Austrian law applies to all and must stand above Sharia law,” says a spokesperson for Philip Kucher, head of the Parliamentary group. If legal clarifications must be given, we are open to that. However, the Integration Ministry must now be involved. Minister Claudia Plakolm must say which legal changes are necessary in her view. After that, the usual coordination process will take place within the coalition. Therefore, it is too early to say what the SPO’s position will be.

The Neos are in favor of a change in law, in principle. “In our governmental program, we have agreed that we want to prevent the use of Sharia law in personal and marriage issues in Austria, and thus, take a further step against oppression and for full equality of women and men,” they say in a (Neos) statement. That is currently being negotiated and should be implemented as quickly as possible. However, only those laws passed by the national Council are currently valid.

The Justice Ministry, led by Anna Sporrer (SPO), views changes with skepticism. International private rights would also be affected by changes-and in this area, many people, as well as our economic relations with other countries, would be affected. “The area of international arbitration is especially considered an economic engine in Austria. This is no place for hasty political decisions,” the Ministry says in a statement.

In its government program and, most recently, within the framework of the National Action Plan against violence against women, the Federal Government has agreed to examine potential changes in international private rights within the framework of a working group in 2026. The working group already began its work in December.

“Possible legal changes must be coordinated broadly and with care. If one aspect is adjusted here, that has repercussions on many other legal areas, for example, family law, where a possible nullification of a marriage could lead to disruptions in custody and alimony rights or to undesired polygamy,” the Justice Ministry states. Because of the international component and relations with other countries, the Foreign Ministry will also have to be involved in the matter.

The Sharia issue in Austrian law became more acute this year when a civil court validated an agreement between two business persons based on Sharia law. The specific provisions did not violate the fundamental values of Austrian law. Austrian courts also frequently apply foreign laws in family law matters, including Sharia. That applies in cases in which marriages were entered into on the basis of foreign law. However, even here, Islamic rules cannot contradict Austrian legal principles.