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FPÖ under pressure after Leoben taxi driver attack
🇦🇹 Austria /Conflict & Security

FPÖ under pressure after Leoben taxi driver attack

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Austria's National Council debated the far-right FPÖ's ties to the Identitarian Movement following a violent taxi driver assault in Leoben.
  • All other parties criticized the FPÖ, demanding a clear dissociation from the group, which they linked to right-wing extremism and terrorism.
  • The FPÖ rejected violence and accused opponents of unfairly targeting the party, with its secretary-general highlighting a photo of the president with a known far-right figure.

The violent assault of a taxi driver in Leoben has ignited a political firestorm in Austria's National Council, with opposition parties sharply criticizing the far-right FPÖ for its alleged connections to the Identitarian Movement. The incident, which involved suspects linked to the right-wing extremist group, has prompted calls for the FPÖ to distance itself from the movement.

there are increasingly right-wing extremist attacks like the one in Leoben and again and again the suspects are members or from the circle of the Identitarians.

— Lukas HammerGreen Party MP Lukas Hammer speaking in the National Council about the links between the Leoben assault suspects and the Identitarian Movement.

Green Party MP Lukas Hammer highlighted a perceived rise in right-wing extremist attacks, repeatedly linking suspects to the Identitarian Movement. He accused the FPÖ of not only adopting the group's ideology but also facilitating their access to parliament, the "heart of democracy." Echoing these sentiments, VP MP Wolfgang Gerstl accused the FPÖ of undermining democratic institutions by associating with the Identitarians. Neos party leader Yannick Shetty pointed to a radicalization within the FPÖ under its leader Herbert Kickl, emphasizing the need for democrats to reject individuals who espouse extremist slogans.

it is not creating a distance from the right-wing thugs.

— Lukas HammerGreen Party MP Lukas Hammer criticizing the FPÖ's stance on the Identitarian Movement.

SPÖ General Secretary Klaus Seltenheim criticized the FPÖ's historical lack of separation from extremist elements, referencing a photograph of FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl with one of the Leoben assault suspects. In response, FPÖ Secretary-General Christian Hafenecker deflected criticism by presenting a photo of Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with prominent far-right figure Martin Sellner. Hafenecker argued that politicians cannot vet everyone they stand next to and suggested the debate was a political ploy to defame the FPÖ. He asserted that violence is unjustifiable and should be handled by the courts, extending this principle to those involved in violence at the Akademikerball.

they are not tolerating people in their own ranks who shout 'Sieg heil'.

— Yannick ShettyNeos party leader Yannick Shetty on the need for democrats to reject extremism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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