DÖW Director Kranebitter Calls for Ban of the Identitären and Criticizes Links to the FPÖ

Kranebitter Calls for Ban of the Organization

Kranebitter was not satisfied with the ban on the demonstration alone. "Not just the demo, but the Identitären as such should be banned," he emphasized. In his view, banning the entire organization was the logical next step. This is "not something one does or should do lightly," but the development of the group argues in favor of it.

Numerous recently surfaced incidents — an attack on a taxi driver in Leoben and brawls in front of Parliament and the Identitären cellar in Vienna-Margareten — showed that the Identitären had become "more shameless" and were hiding less. Kranebitter described the group as far-right and violence-prone: "And they are not alt-right either, they are far-right and violence-prone."

Acts of Violence and Self-Presentation

The recent incidents "also expose their own narrative," the DÖW director said. By that he meant the group's self-presentation, which stages itself as a movement of young patriots. The reality of the violent acts contradicts this image.

European Network and New Actors

In recent years, old and new right-wingers, neo-Nazis, and far-right extremists from all over Europe had gathered in Vienna at the Identitären's "summer demo" at the end of July. Kranebitter called the Identitären a "fascist organization." Although far-right figures such as Martin Sellner or Gottfried Küssel still play a role, currently one observes "that there is no longer such a concentration on individual leader or father figures, but that new names like Schwammerl are springing up from the ground."

Connections to the FPÖ

Kranebitter was particularly sharp in his criticism of the connections between the Identitären and the FPÖ. "In the FPÖ they cling to the idea that the Identitären are an NGO like any other," he criticized. "But the Identitären are not an NGO like any other, and obviously the FPÖ is not a party like any other either." He sees no genuine distancing of the FPÖ from the Identitären: "They only distance themselves as much as necessary. As much as can be proven and as late as possible."

Nevertheless, the Identitären managed to find numerous supporters within the FPÖ for their demand for "remigration." Kranebitter drew a historical parallel: "Back then it was said that if you do nothing, the gene pool of the Germans will become so bad because the 'genetically inferior' spreads. If you do nothing, then Austria, Germany or Europe would voluntarily be replaced through replacement migration." This rhetoric establishes a direct link to National Socialist thinking.

Walter Rosenkranz and Historical Responsibility

Kranebitter also commented on the person of Walter Rosenkranz. That the latter is "untenable" in his current role has been clear to Kranebitter at least since a list published in 2009 in which the FPÖ politician described numerous fraternity members with Nazi careers as "high performers." The Rene Schimanek affair also shows that distancing in the FPÖ is "systematic" and always happens as late as possible.

Political Measures Against Right-Wing Extremism

For a ban of the Identitären, "it is now up to politics to actually put together this package of measures." Measures that are on the table include the modernization of the Prohibition Act, for example with regard to the punishment of activities abroad. Right-wing networks would also be hurt by "de-banking," that is, a ban on opening accounts, following the German model. Kranebitter emphasized: "We are already talking about democratic rights, about organizing oneself under association law." That will not happen "overnight," but the debate must be held.

Kranebitter is involved as chair of the scientific advisory board in the work of the Freedom Education Institute. He said he was "very satisfied" with the cooperation so far. The Documentation Archive of the Austrian Resistance was founded in 1963 by former resistance fighters and persecuted persons of the Nazi regime as well as scholars. After the renovation, it will move in 2029 into the historically most heavily burdened Pavilion 15, part of the "Spiegelgrund."

A clear line by the authorities is "definitely part of an action plan against right-wing extremism," Kranebitter said. He observes the current development with concern, but also with the confidence that banning the Identitären as an organization is possible and warranted. The police must prepare for possible further actions, Kranebitter said, calling for determined action by the authorities.

The APA summer interview, in which Kranebitter laid out his position, took place against the backdrop of growing public pressure to act more decisively against far-right structures in Austria. Kranebitter's remarks are to be understood as a contribution to this debate and as a plea for a clear political and legal response.

Kranebitter repeatedly emphasized that the Identitären must not be treated as an ordinary civil society organization. He explicitly rejected the label "NGO" in this context. Whoever closes their eyes to the connections between far-right extremists and parties that present themselves as bourgeois misunderstands the reality of the Austrian political landscape.

In conclusion, Kranebitter underscored the importance of the historical reappraisal carried out by the DÖW. The work of the archive, which documents the crimes of National Socialism, provides the yardstick for assessing today's far-right movements. The continuity of authoritarian and racist ideologies remains unbroken, and this must be countered with the means of the constitutional state.