Extremism in Austria: alarming numbers and necessary measures!

Extremism in Austria: alarming numbers and necessary measures!

On May 26, 2025, Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and other high -ranking civil servants presented the current constitutional protection report 2024, which shows alarming trends in Austria's security situation. Neos Security spokesman Douglas Hoyos commented on the findings and called for more commitment to the formation of democracy and prevention of extremism. According to the report, particularly drastic climbs were recorded, some of which are due to the geopolitical developments, such as the wars in the Middle East and the Russian attack war on Ukraine. Hoyos emphasizes that the radicalization of young people, especially through social media, is a central problem.

The constitutional protection report emphasizes that, despite a variety of threats, Islamist extremism is considered the greatest danger to Austria. The increase in right -wing extremist and left -wing extremist crimes is also worrying. An increase in the actions recorded in right -wing extremism by 23% and in left -wing extremism by 120% illustrates the increasing willingness to violence and the international networking of these scenes. The increase in Islamist extremism is particularly worrying by over 40% on 215 crimes, here too there were 28 arrests and 68 house searches.

threats in digital space

The report also shows that the threats are increasingly networked and more complex. Social media and online forums play a crucial role in the radicalization of young people, whereby radicalization in digital space has more than doubled since 2022. Extremist actors use specific offers to win young people who are often looking for meaning and orientation. In order to counteract these developments, clear strategic approaches in extremism prevention are required.

HOYOS calls on to strengthen education initiatives and emphasize the need to better improve the DSN and its state offices for hybrid threats, especially in the cyber area. Threats such as espionage and hybrid attacks on opinion formation represent current challenges that require determined action.

Need for prevention and education

The increase in young people and the challenges in the areas of extremism and disinformation require a strategy for society as a whole in radicalization prevention. Programs such as Re#Work and BND aim to promote the exchange between science and civil society. According to the German Youth Institute (DJI), the causes of radicalization in adolescence are diverse and range from social to family to individual factors.

Professional action is necessary to avoid stigmatization and effectively support the young people. The constitutional protection report emphasizes the importance of political education as part of the reproduction of democratic societies. A better understanding of the conditions under which young people are increasing extremist ideologies is crucial for the development of effective prevention concepts.

Austria faces the challenge of strengthening the steadfastness towards external influences, especially from Russia, and at the same time strengthening the internal safety structures. In summary, the current developments show that dealing with extremism and radicalization is not only a security question, but also a responsibility for society as a whole.

For more information, read the detailed reports at OTS , BMI and dji .