Vienna is upside down: thousands on the streets against the FPÖ government!

Vienna is upside down: thousands on the streets against the FPÖ government!

Things are simmering at Ballhausplatz in Vienna: demonstrations against the FPÖ's possible participation in government are gaining momentum. After the failure of negotiations between the ÖVP, SPÖ and Neos, Austria seems to be heading towards an FPÖ-led federal government. Loud Today.at The Thursday demonstrations, which have been taking place for 25 years, are back. Today, January 16, 2025, mobilization will take place again from 5 p.m. Around 500 demonstrators are expected to march from Schillerplatz via the Opernring to Heldenplatz before arriving at Ballhausplatz.

The last event attracted around 5,000 people last Thursday and kept the ring shut down for several hours. Police used security measures such as barriers around the Federal Chancellery and drone surveillance to avoid possible incidents. Another demonstration is expected this evening, organized by over 30 non-governmental organizations that want to form a symbolic border against authoritarian tendencies under the motto “String of Lights”. Cell phones will ring at Ballhausplatz at 6 p.m. as participants protest with flashlights on, like Small newspaper reported.

Protest with many faces

Despite varying estimates of the number of participants, ranging from 5,000 to 50,000, there is a clear desire to mobilize for democracy. A police official estimated attendees in the range of 16,500 to 17,500. The organizer of the protest is the newly founded “Austrian Civil Society Network”, which is concerned about the authoritarian and nationalistic tendencies of an FPÖ-led government. The rallies bring together people who want to stand up for diversity and against discrimination.