Controversial chats from Austrian Schülerunion members spark outrage

Controversial chats circulating among members of the Austrian Schülerunion, an organization close to the ÖVP (Austrian People's Party), have sparked sharp criticism. The SPÖ-affiliated Aktion Kritischer Schüler_innen (AKS) described the leaked messages as "shocking" and replete with "racist, sexist, and misanthropic content."

The AKS highlighted that the chat group included regional officials, federal and state student representatives, and several members of the Schülerunion's current federal board. "This ideology seems deeply rooted in the organization," the AKS stated in a press release. Ello Wachter of the AKS Federal Board and Marcus Lieder, federal chairman of the Junos Schüler:innen, called on the Schülerunion to fully clarify the situation and demanded personnel consequences.

In response, the Schülerunion expressed dismay, stating, "We as Schülerunion Austria distance ourselves in the clearest possible terms from the published messages within a private chat of individual functionaries of Schülerunion Carinthia and condemn them in the strongest possible terms." Jonas Pichlbauer, the Schülerunion's press officer, emphasized that such behavior is incompatible with their values and "deeply disturbing."

The Schülerunion claims that consequences were implemented upon learning of the chats from the previous year. "Every member of this chat group who is also a member of our association has been required to attend a sensitization workshop." Additionally, individuals who made "reprehensible statements" have already resigned from their positions within the Schülerunion. Guidelines for the chat group have been in place since December 2025.

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Dieses Gedankengut scheint also tief in der Organisation verwurzelt