FPÖ calls for tough action against left-wing extremist violence from Antifa!

FPÖ calls for tough action against left-wing extremist violence from Antifa!

The political discourse about extremism in Austria has become more intense in recent weeks. On September 20, 2025, the FPÖ spokesman for left-wing extremism, NAbg. Sebastian Schwaighofer, and the Vienna FPÖ member of the state parliament Leo Lugner made a closer observation of the left-wing extremist “Antifa”. This is happening in the context of a worrying increase in extremist acts in the Alpine republic, as recently mentioned in both the 2024 Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution report and in recent official statements.

Schwaighofer draws particular attention to the systematic violence perpetrated by Antifa and compares the situation in Austria with the current discussion in the USA, where consideration is being given to classifying Antifa as a terrorist organization. He criticizes the fact that left-wing extremist acts of violence are often kept quiet in public discussion, while right-wing crimes are overemphasized. A striking example of this is the attack on a 60-year-old visitor to the Academic Ball in Graz, who was brutally attacked and beaten unconscious by a left-wing extremist mob on January 25, 2024.

Political responsibility and security situation

The FPÖ MPs are outraged that the political groups known as system parties are turning a blind eye to left-wing extremist terror. According to Lugner, these are hypocrites if they seriously talk about fighting extremism while trivializing the left-wing extremist threat. Schwaighofer also takes aim at Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) and criticizes his inadequate actions to protect the US embassy and in dealing with left-wing extremist violent criminals.

The political demands are for an official offensive against the Antifa scene in order to ensure both the safety of citizens and the rule of law. Both politicians emphasize that violence and property damage as political means must not be tolerated in a democracy.

Increase in extremist acts

The 2024 Office for the Protection of the Constitution shows that the internal security situation in Austria can be classified as worrying. Right-wing extremism remains the strongest group with 1,486 registered acts, an increase of 23 percent compared to the previous year. At the same time, left-wing extremist acts rose by over 120 percent to 214, often in connection with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Interior Minister Karner describes the report as a “situation report of the threat to democracy” and calls for an increase in the capacity of the Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN) in order to keep pace with the growing threats.

Overall, the security situation in Austria has changed due to international events such as the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023. These developments have increased the radicalization of youth and the use of digital platforms for ideological incitement. Karner also recognizes the need to implement modern investigative methods, including messenger surveillance, to more effectively counter extremist communications and recruitment activities.

The revelation of this complex threat situation shows once again that both political and regulatory measures are necessary to ensure public safety and counter extremist violence. The FPÖ and other political actors are faced with the challenge of developing a national program of action that adequately addresses not only left-wing extremist threats, but also right-wing extremist and Islamist threats.

For further information about the extremist acts in Austria and their current developments, those interested can read the reports from OTS, ORF and My district consult.