Austria's Woke Revolution: Reality Or Myth?

Austria is a country with a complex political landscape, with various parties vying for power and influence. In recent years, the country has witnessed a surge in support for far-right and conservative ideologies, with parties such as the Freedom Party (FPÖ) gaining traction among voters. This shift in the political landscape has sparked debates and concerns about the country's direction and values, including the question of whether Austria is woke. The term woke often refers to a progressive social and political stance that aims to address issues of injustice and inequality, particularly regarding race, gender, and social justice. In the Austrian context, the discussion around wokeness takes on a unique character, influenced by the country's history, culture, and demographic makeup.

Austria's neutrality and security policy

Austria's neutrality is a deeply ingrained part of its national identity, with 76% of Austrians favouring neutrality over NATO membership. This stance has its roots in the post-WWII Allied occupation of Austria by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. In 1955, Austria was freed from this occupation through the Austrian State Treaty, which included a declaration of the country's permanent neutrality.

Over the years, this neutrality has been leveraged by Austria to play the role of a peacemaker and intermediary on the international stage. For instance, Vienna hosted some important superpower summits during the Cold War and is the headquarters of the OSCE. Austria's neutral status has also allowed it to score deals on cheap Russian gas and accept investments by Russian oligarchs.

However, Austria's neutrality has come under scrutiny in recent years, especially in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Austria's continued dependence on Russia for energy and its entanglement in Russia's web of influence have raised questions about the sustainability of its neutral stance. Additionally, Austria's participation in UN-led peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, as well as its involvement in the European Sky Shield Initiative, have blurred the lines of its neutrality.

Despite these complexities and criticisms, Austria remains committed to its neutrality, with all major political parties, except the minor liberal NEOS party, supporting the maintenance of military neutrality. This stance has been criticised as a form of appeasement, especially in the context of the Ukraine war, and it remains to be seen how Austria's neutrality will evolve in the face of shifting European security dynamics.

The Austrian far-right

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) is a political party in Austria, described as far-right, right-wing populist, national-conservative, and eurosceptic. It is the largest of five parties in the National Council, with 57 out of 183 seats, and won 28.85% of the votes in the 2024 election. The party was founded in 1956 as the successor to the Federation of Independents (VdU), representing pan-Germanists and national liberals. Its first leader, Anton Reinthaller, was a former Nazi functionary and SS officer.

Under the leadership of Norbert Steger in the early 1980s, the FPÖ sought to style itself as a centrist liberal party, modelled after Germany's Free Democratic Party (FDP). However, when Jörg Haider became leader in 1986, the party began an ideological shift towards right-wing populism, resulting in increased electoral support but also leading to the loss of some coalition partners. Haider's radical-populist rhetoric reduced the party's chances of forming coalitions with other parties.

In the 1999 election, the FPÖ won 26.9% of the vote, becoming the second-most popular party. They formed a coalition government with the conservative People's Party (ÖVP), with the latter retaining the office of chancellor. This decision was met with intense international criticism, and the EU introduced sanctions, stating that "the admission of the FPÖ into a coalition government legitimises the extreme right in Europe."

In the 2024 election, the FPÖ won 29.2% of the vote, placing first and achieving its best result in the party's history. The party has been tasked with forming a coalition government for the first time, which, if successful, would result in Austria's first government led by the far-right. The FPÖ has a clear stance on social issues, committing to "the primacy of marriage between a man and a woman" and rejecting "any separate legal institution for same-sex relations." The party also campaigns for "remigration," which generally refers to the mass deportation of asylum seekers and foreigners, and promotes the idea of a more homogeneous Austria.

The Austrian police force and racism

Racism in the Austrian Police Force

Austria has been criticised for its treatment of ethnic minorities, with Amnesty International reporting that institutional racism is permeating the Austrian police force and other parts of the country's criminal justice system. Amnesty International's report, titled "Victim or Suspect: A Question of Colour", documents cases of racist abuse and mistreatment by the Austrian police, as well as the failure of the broader criminal justice system to treat migrants and members of ethnic minorities without discrimination. The report found that non-white Austrians are more likely to be suspected of crimes and mistreated by the police, and that their grievances are less likely to be promptly and thoroughly investigated.

In response to the report, Amnesty International's expert on Austria, John Dalhuisen, said:

> "Austria runs a de facto two-tier justice system [which] is an affront to the concept of justice. Common social prejudices and stereotypes regarding foreigners and different religious and ethnic groups can have no place in law enforcement structures."

Dalhuisen also highlighted the impact of discriminatory police practices, stating that the sense of injustice spreads throughout minority communities, who come to perceive themselves as specifically targeted. He called on Austrian authorities to ensure that all allegations of racist misconduct by law enforcement officials are effectively investigated and appropriately punished, and to improve the identification of, and institutional response to, patterns of racist misconduct.

While there are no official statistics on the ethnicity of complainants or proven victims of police mistreatment, the fact that the overwhelming majority of such cases reported to and taken up by Amnesty International have involved members of ethnic minorities raises concerns of overt racism within Austrian law enforcement structures. Furthermore, Amnesty International is concerned that the majority of complaints of police mistreatment by members of ethnic minorities are met with an inadequate response by both the police force and the judicial system.

Austria's problems with racism in law enforcement are not new. A 2000 report by Amnesty International accused Austrian police of seriously flouting human rights, abusing their powers, and using brutal language and behaviour in their treatment of foreigners. The report detailed eyewitness accounts and medical reports of detainees, particularly black Africans, being kicked, punched, beaten with truncheons, and sprayed with pepper spray. It also noted that foreigners had been beaten unconscious for not showing police their papers.

While Austria has made some efforts to address these issues, with the Interior Ministry conducting racial sensitivity training programs for over 2,000 police and other officials in 2005 with NGO assistance, racial profiling and discrimination by Austrian police remain a significant problem.

In conclusion, while there may be some kernel of truth to claims of racism within the Austrian police force, it is important to acknowledge that racial profiling is a complex issue that cannot be boiled down to simple prejudice. However, it is clear that Austria needs to take further steps to address institutional racism within its law enforcement and criminal justice systems, to ensure that all people, regardless of ethnic origin or skin colour, are treated fairly and equally.

Austria's immigration policy

In the 2025 general election, the FPÖ won 29% of the vote with a promise to build "Fortress Austria" and restore Austrian security and prosperity. The party was founded by former Nazis in the 1950s and has been in a ruling coalition before. Despite their victory, other parties ruled out forming a coalition with the FPÖ. The liberal Neos and the Social Democrats also pulled out of coalition talks.

Austria's political correctness

Austria's political landscape has recently been shaken up by the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ)'s unprecedented victory in the general election. The party, founded by former Nazis in the 1950s, has sparked concerns about the rise of "woke" ideology and political correctness in the country.

The FPÖ's leader, Herbert Kickl, has called for a "Fortress Austria," aiming to restore security and prosperity by implementing firm rules on legal immigration and promoting the idea of remigration. The party's win, with nearly 29% of the vote, has raised questions about Austria's commitment to political correctness and social progressivism.

While the FPÖ has faced criticism and been sidelined by other parties due to its extreme views, its popularity continues to grow. This suggests that a significant portion of the Austrian population resonates with its messaging, which includes building "Fortress Austria," and restoring Austrians' security and prosperity.

Austria's complex history with Nazism and its current struggle with far-right ideologies present unique challenges when addressing issues of political correctness and social progress. The country's approach to racial discourse and immigration is influenced by its historical context, which differs significantly from that of the United States, where the "woke" movement originated.

In Austria, the discussion around race and racism is shaped by its history as a predominantly white country with a relatively small population of people of African descent, mostly recent immigrants or their children. This demographic difference impacts how issues of racial profiling and systemic racism are perceived and addressed.

Additionally, Austria's neutral stance during World War II and its subsequent occupation by the Allies contribute to its unique perspective on political correctness. The country's identity is strongly linked to its neutrality, which has resulted in a tendency towards non-partisanship and impartiality in modern times.

In conclusion, Austria's political correctness is influenced by its historical context, demographic makeup, and cultural identity. The rise of the far-right FPÖ and the complexities of addressing racial discourse and immigration highlight the challenges Austria faces in navigating political correctness and social progress.

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