State Security Chief Haijawi-Pirchner resigns early – what now?

State Security Chief Haijawi-Pirchner resigns early – what now?

Omar Haijawi-Pirchner, the first head of the State Security Intelligence Service (DSN) Directorate, will resign from his position at the end of 2025. This comes eleven months before the regular end of his term of office. According to current reports from 5min, the resignation is due to “private reasons”. However, Haijawi-Pirchner will continue to work in the Ministry of the Interior and lead the project to evaluate the State Security and Intelligence Service Act. He describes his resignation as not being easy, and emphasizes the responsibility and honor of his previous role.

Haijawi-Pirchner took over the management of the DSN in autumn 2021, after the founding of the directorate, which emerged from the dissolution of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Terrorism (BVT). During his term in office, he faced numerous challenges, particularly with regard to the corona crisis, Islamist terrorism and the general security situation in Europe. Creating trust in friendly intelligence services after the scandals surrounding the BVT posed a particular challenge.

Milestones and challenges

Under Haijawi-Pirchner's leadership, considerable progress was made in the area of ​​constitutional protection. The DSN carried out around 900 house searches, 670 of which were in the area of ​​right-wing extremism. Over 275 people were arrested, including 162 in connection with right-wing extremist activities and 67 Islamist extremists.

In addition, Sylvia Mayer will take over the management of the management on an interim basis after his resignation. The permanent appointment to the management position is carried out through a selection process with a candidate hearing. Haijawi-Pirchner's previous deputies, David Blum and Michael Lohnegger, also ended their terms of office early; Blum moved to the private sector, while Lohnegger now acts as head of the Styrian State Criminal Police Office.

Current security situation

The security situation in Austria was strongly influenced by events in the world, in particular the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. This emerges from the 2024 Constitutional Protection Report, which was presented by Interior Minister Gerhard Karner and State Secretary Jörg Leichtfried. The biggest threat remains Islamist extremism, which has seen a significant increase of over 40% in recorded acts, totaling 215 incidents.

A worrying increase has also been noted in the area of ​​right-wing extremism, with acts increasing by 23%. This is particularly evident in increased physical injuries, property damage and weapons law violations. There has also been a 120% increase in left-wing extremism, driving the need to take preventative measures.

With the aim of effectively countering extremism and radicalization, the DSN has established a nationwide network for extremism prevention and de-radicalization. At the same time, the number of young perpetrators is growing, which underlines the urgency of a clear strategic approach to reduce the spread of extremist ideologies.

In summary, Omar Haijawi-Pirchner's time at the helm of the DSN was marked by significant challenges and successes. The structural reforms in state security and the response to today's dynamic threats represent an important part of his legacy, while his successor and the DSN team are entrusted with the ongoing task of ensuring security in Austria.