FPÖ warns: Debanking as an attack on freedom of the press in focus!

FPÖ warns: Debanking as an attack on freedom of the press in focus!

The phenomenon of "deban king", ie the arbitrary termination of bank accounts for political reasons, remains a explosive topic in the Austrian political landscape. On April 25, 2025, the FPÖ submitted an application in the National Council to prohibit banks politically motivated. However, this application was rejected. The FPÖ warns that such measures are a serious threat to freedom of expression and press, especially for "politically uncomfortable" people and media. ots that FPÖ-MPH Hot Heiß a statutory anchoring of the right to a bank account regardless of the political attitude request.

The discussion about Debanking is not only limited to Austria. In Germany and Great Britain there is a similar picture where banks are used as instruments against uncomfortable political opinions. According to a report by the all-round magazine, the phenomenon has serious economic and personal consequences for those affected. This problem was acute for the all-out magazine itself when it lost its account with the Styrian Sparkasse shortly before Christmas 2024. , of course, that such dismissals have been used as a means of critical voices for many years, starting by the party "Die Republikerer" in the early 2000s to recently affected media and personalities.

political reactions and demands

The FPÖ sees the existing system to maintain the political independence of the judiciary as sufficient. In a current debate in the National Council, however, other parties - including the ÖVP, SPÖ, Neos and Greens - also called for the creation of a politically independent peak in the judiciary. Justice Minister Anna Sporrer plans to quickly promote this initiative to counteract political influence in the judiciary.

At the same time, reference is made to the consumer payment account law, which ensures the right to a basic account for natural persons. State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried emphasizes the relevance of this law in connection with the Debanking. Critics of the FPÖ, such as SPÖ MP Pia Maria Wieninger, see the application of the FPÖ as support for extremely right-wing media and propagate that political neutrality must be guaranteed.

Debanking as a weapon against critical votes

The Debanking is perceived by many as a serious attack on freedom of the press and the variety of opinion. Again and again there are concerns in public. Martin Sellner, a well -known activist, has lost over 90 accounts at various banks. In July 2023 he received the termination of his basic account at the Volksbank. of the all-out magazine and other media report that journalists and bloggers are also on the fire line, with some even classified as a "right-wing extremist" Consolation of accounts.