FPÖ candidates face Nazi code trial, Tyrol governor reopens health insurance debate, Klagenfurt budget fight continues—and more stories from Austria on Tuesday.
Three FPÖ candidates on trial for posting Nazi-linked ‘Eiernockerl’ images
Three FPÖ candidates are on trial at the regional court in Korneuburg for repeatedly posting photos of Eiernockerl, a dish associated in far-right circles with Adolf Hitler’s birthday, Der Standard reported.
Prosecutors argue the posts, shared annually on April 20th between 2019 and 2024, violate Austria’s Verbotsgesetz, which bans Nazi glorification.
The defendants, who ran for local office in Lower Austria, deny any neo-Nazi intent. One claims he was hacked, while another said she “wanted to provoke” but later called the symbolism ridiculous. The trial was adjourned indefinitely after the defence requested a cybercrime expert review.
Austrian health insurance merger debate reignites after Tyrolean governor calls it a ‘mistake’
Tyrolean governor Anton Mattle (ÖVP) has sparked a political debate by describing Austria’s 2018 health insurance fund merger as a “mistake,” ORF reported.
Mattle called for a “reform of the reform,” arguing for more regional control over healthcare services.
While parts of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) welcomed Mattle’s remarks, federal ÖVP leaders, NEOS and the Greens rejected dismantling the current structure, warning against a return to 21 regional funds. The SPÖ supports further reforms, while the Medical Association said the merger was “professionally insufficient.”
Klagenfurt faces budget crisis as parties criticise 2025 draft plan
Klagenfurt’s draft budget for 2025 could be adopted by a narrow margin today, despite heavy criticism from opposition parties, ORF Carinthia reported.
The FPÖ, NEOS and the Greens accuse the city of using €30 million in internal loans—intended for sewer maintenance and other infrastructure—to cover current spending.
NEOS called the budget “a robbery of the population,” arguing that Klagenfurt has a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Mayor Christian Scheider (FSP) urged councillors to stop playing “political games,” warning that failing to adopt a budget could trigger a financial crisis.
Austria plans further deportations of Syrians convicted of crimes
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) announced plans for further deportations of Syrians convicted of serious crimes, ORF reported.
Karner said there will be no mass deportations but that Austria would continue deporting individuals it deems dangerous.
Austria carried out its first deportation to Syria since 2015 earlier this month. The deported man, a 32-year-old convicted in 2018 of involvement with Islamic State, has not been heard from since arriving in Syria. Human rights groups suspect he is in custody.
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Austria plans law change to limit decades-long rent refund claims
The Austrian government plans to introduce a law to limit rent refund claims after a Constitutional Court ruling opened the door for tenants to reclaim decades of rent increases, Die Presse reported.
A draft bill would cap repayment claims at five years, even for long-standing contracts.
Without the amendment, property values could plummet due to potential rent freezes, affecting banks, insurers, and housing associations. Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) confirmed the coalition aims to pass the law this autumn, describing it as necessary to create legal certainty.
15-year-old on trial in Germany for role in Vienna Taylor Swift concert terror plot
A 15-year-old Syrian is on trial in Berlin for allegedly helping plan a terrorist attack on Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna in 2024, Kurier reported.
He is accused of translating bomb-making instructions from Arabic for the main suspect, a 20-year-old man from Lower Austria who remains in custody.
The teenager also allegedly helped draft an oath of allegiance to Islamic State and made contact with jihadist figures abroad. The trial is being held behind closed doors due to the accused’s age and is expected to last until late August.
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