Austrian FPÖ Party Lists Convicted Individuals for Reinstatement
In the latest APA poll for the Vienna election, the Greens have overtaken the OVP and NEOS, placing the Greens ahead of the pack. However, a significant development that has emerged in the political landscape involves a former FPÖ district councilor who was convicted under Austria's Nazi Prohibition Act (Verbotsgesetz).
The convicted former district councilor, who intended to run for the FPÖ in the district of Donaustadt, is generally not eligible to stand in elections or hold public office in Vienna. This is due to legal restrictions on persons who promote or support National Socialist activities, as stipulated by Austrian electoral law and Viennese municipal election regulations.
The Nazi Prohibition Act in Austria criminalizes Nazi organizations and activities, including Holocaust denial and the revival of Nazi ideology. Conviction under this law typically disqualifies individuals from participating in elections or public office.
The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), historically associated with some far-right elements, has faced scrutiny regarding individuals linked to extremist or neo-Nazi activities. In this case, the party would likely pursue exclusion or distancing measures against such an individual to avoid political reputational damage.
The Vienna Municipal Council Election Ordinance explicitly states that the convicted former district councilor is not eligible to run. Despite this, he ran in a winnable position in Vienna-Donaustadt, but the outcome of his candidacy remains to be seen.
The FPÖ remains in second place in the Vienna election, according to the APA poll. Meanwhile, the SPOE is leading stably, and it is unlikely that the KPOE will make it into the Vienna city council, as per the same poll.
This news was reported by the "Standard" on Tuesday. The specific case details from the most recent sources are not available, but this is consistent with Austrian legal norms and FPÖ’s political practice as of 2025.
- The general-news outlet "Standard" reported that a former FPÖ district councilor, who was convicted under Austria's Nazi Prohibition Act, attempted to run for the FPÖ in the district of Donaustadt, despite being generally not eligible to stand in elections due to legal restrictions on individuals who promote or support National Socialist activities.
- Austrian electoral law and Viennese municipal election regulations, which include the Nazi Prohibition Act, typically disqualify individuals from participating in elections and holding public office if they have been convicted under this law, such as the case with the convicted former FPÖ district councilor, but the outcome of his candidacy in Vienna-Donaustadt remains to be seen.
