After Attack on Taxi Driver in Leoben: Opposition Demands Consequences for FPÖ Network

The taxi driver, who came to Austria around 40 years ago and studied there, was insulted as a "Ausländersau." He described his disbelief to "Standard" shortly after the crime: „Was soll denen schon passieren? Das sind alles Söhne von Anwälten und Ärzten." The attack was also accompanied by a "Heil Hitler" shout.

The Leoben public prosecutor's office confirmed investigations without providing details on the specific status. Spokesperson Riedler stated over the weekend in response to an APA inquiry: „Die Ermittlungen sind am Laufen. Es wird noch einige Zeit dauern." The Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence Service (DSN) had already reported the man in June 2025 under the Prohibition Act because he was present at the funeral of a fraternity member where an SS song is alleged to have been sung.

Investigations and Suspects

The second alleged attacker is, according to "Standard," the German citizen Yannick Wagemann. The research platform "Stoppt die Rechten" documents his past: He participated in an Identitarian disruption action against Vienna Pride, organized Identitarian marches, and played a leading role in demonstrations against the federal government's Corona measures. According to the SPÖ, Wagemann is considered an "enger Vertrauter von FPÖ-Bundesparteiobmann Herbert Kickl."

The FPÖ rejected on Saturday evening in response to an APA inquiry that Wagemann is currently a parliamentary staff member. However, FPÖ politician Schuch-Gubik confirmed that Wagemann had been an "ehemaliger parlamentarischer Mitarbeiter eines freiheitlichen Abgeordneten." „Wer gegen Gesetze verstößt, muss auch die Konsequenzen dafür tragen – das gilt natürlich auch für den ehemaligen parlamentarischen Mitarbeiter eines freiheitlichen Abgeordneten", said Schuch-Gubik.

Demand for Expulsion

SPÖ federal managing director Klaus Seltenheim is now calling on Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) to review the suspect's expulsion. „Der Innenminister ist jetzt am Zug und muss umgehend prüfen, ob Yannick Wagemann außer Landes gebracht werden kann", said Seltenheim. He referred to Paragraph 67 of the Aliens Police Act (FPG), according to which EEA citizens can be banned from staying in the country "wenn von ihnen aus schwerwiegenden Gründen der öffentlichen Ordnung oder Sicherheit eine tatsächliche, gegenwärtige und erhebliche Gefahr ausgeht."

Seltenheim sharpened his criticism of Kickl personally. „Wer bei jeder Gelegenheit die Abschiebung unbescholtener Menschen fordert, aber schweigt, wenn ein enger Vertrauter und führender Identitärer im Zusammenhang mit Ermittlungen wegen eines mutmaßlich rechtsextremen Gewaltverbrechens genannt wird, hat jede Glaubwürdigkeit verloren." Kickl would give Identitarians and alleged right-wing extremists "Rückhalt und Anschluss," while simultaneously declaring "friedliche Menschen zum Feindbild."

Criticism of the FPÖ

The SPÖ sees a structural problem in the incident. „Der nächste Skandal rund um das enge Naheverhältnis der FPÖ zu den Identitären ist aufgeflogen", said Seltenheim. A party that normalizes right-wing extremist networks, brings them into its structures, and repeatedly relativizes their proximity "wird selbst zum Sicherheitsrisiko für die Republik." Seltenheim demanded that, in the Leoben case, the "ganzen Härte des Rechtsstaats" be applied.

The Greens also spoke out. Antifascism spokesperson Lukas Hammer said the FPÖ has "dringenden Erklärungs- und Handlungsbedarf." National Council President Walter Rosenkranz must disclose "wie viele Mitarbeiter dieser rechtsextremen Schlägertruppe in ihren Reihen arbeiten und sich von diesen trennen." Hammer demanded the expulsion of the suspect.

Reactions from the ÖVP

The ÖVP also reacted with sharp criticism. Club chairman Ernst Gödl spoke of a "Schlaglicht auf ein Milieu, das längst bis in den politischen Betrieb reicht." There must be no safe haven for extremists in Austria – "egal, ob sie von islamistischen, linksextremen oder rechtsextremen Netzwerken kommen."

At the time of the attack, the Burschenschaft Leder in Leoben was celebrating its 40th anniversary. Hundreds of fraternity members from Austria and Germany had arrived from June 19 to 21. Wagemann, who is said to have studied in the Styrian city, was also present in this environment according to information from "Standard." According to Schuch-Gubik, Wagemann is said not to be personally known by Kickl.

Political Dimension

The political debate about connections between the FPÖ and the Identitarians is not new. In the past, critics had already pointed to photos, joint appearances, and personnel overlaps. The incident in Leoben could now further intensify this discussion – especially since the FPÖ, after Herbert Kickl's election victory as federal party chairman, is aiming for its role as a governing party. „Mit der Kickl-FPÖ ist kein Staat zu machen", said Seltenheim.

Reactions from home and abroad show that the case is attracting attention beyond Austria. The German citizenship of the alleged perpetrator raises additional questions about judicial and alien law treatment. Interior Minister Karner has not publicly commented so far.

The taxi driver himself was shocked after the attack. He cannot understand why the alleged perpetrators should not fear any consequences. His accounts have contributed significantly to the incident making waves in the media and politics.

The Leoben public prosecutor's office emphasized that, for legal reasons, no detailed personal data may be published. They are not authorized to provide further information beyond media reporting. The FPÖ announced it would review the allegations by legal means and rejected any responsibility for the actions of individual persons.

The case also illustrates the tensions within the FPÖ between those who cultivate proximity to Identitarian groups and those who want to distance themselves from right-wing extremist tendencies. The question of how great the Identitarians' influence on parts of the party actually is remains politically controversial – and is likely to shape the election campaign in the coming weeks.