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ÖVP plans to ban headscarves – SPÖ defends itself against the move!
Integration Minister Plakolm is planning a headscarf ban, while the SPÖ is resisting. Vienna is reducing minimum benefits for those entitled to protection.
ÖVP plans to ban headscarves – SPÖ defends itself against the move!
On October 28, 2025, Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm from the ÖVP is planning a controversial headscarf ban for girls up to the 8th grade. The aim of this initiative is to enshrine the ban in the constitution in order to circumvent previous rulings. However, the SPÖ blocks this initiative and criticizes it as unconstitutional because it violates the principle of equality. An earlier attempt to enforce such a ban under the ÖVP-FPÖ government failed before the Constitutional Court. However, without a majority from the SPÖ, Plakolm's plan could falter and endanger the existing black-red-pink coalition.
From January onwards, the minimum income for people entitled to subsidiary protection in Vienna will also be reduced. Around 10,000 people will have to move to lower basic care. The red-pink city government justifies the cut with annual costs of 1.2 billion euros and calls for more personal responsibility on the part of those affected. Protests can already be heard from NGOs such as SOS Mitmensch and Asylkoordination, which have started a petition against the measure. With this decision, Vienna is breaking a special regulation that has already been abolished in seven other federal states in order to create uniform standards.
Political developments in the EU
In the geopolitical arena, Viktor Orbán, supported by the Czech Republic and Slovakia, is planning an alliance against further aid to Ukraine. The aim of this alliance is to give skeptical EU states a stronger voice. A possible change of government in Prague could provide additional support for Orbán in his efforts. Robert Fico, who works in Slovakia, is committed to dialogue with Moscow. This is in stark contrast to the demands of EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, who calls for maximum pressure against Russia and rejects any concessions.
The formation of a new “Visegrád 3” bloc could prove to be a hindrance to financial and military aid to Ukraine and paralyze the EU’s ability to act in foreign policy.