Graz, Austria — May 17, 2026

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) has expelled Bernhard Dohr and Fabian Gutschreiter, two deputy city party leaders in Graz, in a unanimous decision by the state party executive last Wednesday. The expulsions come less than six weeks before the municipal council election on June 28.

Expulsions and Party Loyalty

According to an FPÖ press release, Dohr and Gutschreiter exhibited behavior in recent months that amounted to "systematic disloyalty to the party" and endangered party cohesion. The exact reasons for their expulsion were not publicly disclosed, but the party mentioned the existence of written evidence supporting the decision.

Bernhard Dohr, an economist and political scientist, was previously announced as the third candidate on the FPÖ's party list in late February. He also served as the press spokesman for former deputy mayor Mario Eustacchio, who now sits as an independent delegate in the Graz city council. Fabian Gutschreiter's role in the party, beyond his position as deputy city party leader, was not detailed in the available reports.