Freedom of expression or extremism? MFG defends itself against DÖW report!

Freedom of expression or extremism? MFG defends itself against DÖW report!

Wien, Österreich - On April 3, 2025, the movement "Human Freedom and Fundamental Rights" (MFG) protested against the flat -rate defamation of diversity of opinion in the new report of the documentation archive of Austrian resistance (DÖW). The report, which covers 2020 to 2023, was presented on Friday and comprises 196 pages that deal with right -wing extremist activities in Austria. The DÖW report was commissioned by the black and green government and has been the first of its kind in almost two decades.

In the political landscape, the contents of the report have hit waves. The FPÖ is mentioned 231 times in the document and a "strong personnel anchoring" and a "historical nearby" to the FPÖ is found. This party, under its chairman Herbert Kickl, sees its existence threatened by the reporting and calls for the immediate termination of cooperation with the DÖW. Kickl has made positive comments about the right -wing extremist identity movement (IBÖ) in the past.

content focus of the report

A central theme of the report is the ethnic milieu, which is considered a traditional "pillar of Austrian right -wing extremism", combined with student fraternities. Döw director Andreas Kraneblitter described the report as a kind of "radar trap" for right-wing extremist activities. Particular attention is also paid to the connections between right-wing extremism and the protests against the coronavirus measures, in which more FPÖ representatives were active.

The ÖVP is presented in the report as "weak and unbelievable" in relation to its relationship with the identity movement. It is also associated with right-wing extremist topics, especially in the person of Karl Mahrer, the Vienna ÖVP chairman, and Gudrun Kugler, a member of the ÖVP National Council. Alexander Pröll, the general secretary of the ÖVP, explained that the party strictly rejected right -wing extremism.

reactions and political implications

The reactions to the report are diverse. While the FPÖ criticizes the report as ideologically motivated, SPÖ boss Andreas Babler has described the results as "highly alarming" and demands measures against right-wing extremism. NEOS club chairwoman Stephanie Krisper urges the creation of a national action plan to combat extremely right-wing currents. Greens spokesman Lukas Hammer emphasized that the FPÖ is perceived as a parliamentary arm of the extreme right.

The MFG, on the other hand, sees reporting a flat -rate defamation that harms democratic diversity of opinion. According to MFG, the report reflects a problematic view that not only stigmatizes legitimate political opinions, but also dissenters. This raises the question to what extent a differentiated view of political currents is possible in the social debate.

Overall, the report shows how complex and multifaceted the topic of right -wing extremism in Austria is, and it challenges all political actors to deal with the challenges of this topic. The discussion about the DÖW report is already in full swing and will continue to shape the political landscape in the country. Further information on the content and the discussion can be found in the detailed reports of OTS , Orf and Krone.