Presidential Council to Discuss Security Checks for Parliamentary Staff

Investigations and Initial Situation

Following the meeting on Monday, Rosenkranz stated via parliamentary correspondence that the conversation had shown the opposite of the allegations, and that there was no security risk. A few hours later, the Ministry of the Interior clarified that the assessment of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution remained unchanged: "As stated in the current report on the protection of the constitution, at least four former activists of the Identitarian Movement Austria (IBÖ) are active as parliamentary employees." The authority also pointed out that, regardless of current observation measures, "there is fundamentally a security risk if former members or activists of the Identitarians gain access to classified information."

Conflicting Assessments

The DSN therefore recommends security checks for employees in sensitive subcommittees. Specifically, these are proposals that State Secretary Leichtfried introduced into the discussion, according to his office. Rosenkranz announced that he would bring these points before the Presidential Council on Wednesday. Representatives of all parliamentary factions participated in the meeting.

Reactions from the Factions

The opposition reacted with sharp criticism. Green Party MP Lukas Hammer wrote in a press release: "When the President of the National Council allows such a misleading, party-political FPÖ spin to be spread through the official communication channel of Parliament, requiring correction by the DSN, we have a problem." SPÖ MP Sabine Schatz spoke of a "transparent attempt by FPÖ National Council President Rosenkranz to issue a clean bill of health for the FPÖ" and accused him of instrumentalizing his office for the purposes of his party.

Criticism also came from the ÖVP. Wolfgang Gerstl said that Rosenkranz's statements showed that the FPÖ lacked awareness of the problem. Andreas Hanger called on the Freedom Party to "clearly distance itself from right-wing extremist circles." All other parliamentary factions therefore view Rosenkranz's conduct in office critically.

FPÖ Rejects Allegations

The FPÖ rejected the allegations. Secretary General Christian Hafenecker spoke in a press release of a "lying campaign" against his party. "Impeccable employees have become targets of left-wing editors due to their patriotic commitment." Party leader Herbert Kickl demanded an immediate correction of their reports from STANDARD and ORF-Report. The FPÖ points out that the Identitarian Movement is not banned in Austria.

On Wednesday, in addition to the security debate, the Presidential Council will also address the handling of the FPÖ slogan "Remigration" and possible calls to order. Parliamentary employees in Austria have not undergone security checks to date and can move freely within the parliamentary building. The DSN is divided into state security, which prevents anti-constitutional attacks, and intelligence services, which monitor groups and analyze developments.

Political Context and Open Questions

The removal of Rosenkranz is not currently possible: this would require a constitutional amendment that would need the approval of all factions except the FPÖ. Rosenkranz has been President of the National Council since autumn 2024 because the strongest faction traditionally holds this office. His election was controversial; the ÖVP supported it, citing parliamentary customs.

More recently, further personnel decisions by Rosenkranz have caused discussion. His confidant René Schimanek, whom he appointed as his office manager, was convicted of repeat incitement. Furthermore, Rosenkranz gave his first interview as National Council President to the propaganda channel Auf1, which the German Office for the Protection of the Constitution cites as an example of antisemitic content in a brochure. According to research by the platform "Stopp die Rechten," the newly appointed Parliamentary Director Roland Weinert is a "Bundesbruder" (fellow fraternity member) of Rosenkranz; their fraternities merged in 2025.

The Identitarian Movement Austria is classified as right-wing extremist by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. The FPÖ had previously distanced itself from the movement but now points out that it is not banned. The Ministry of the Interior clarified several hours after Rosenkranz's statement that the assessment of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution remained unchanged and that security checks for employees in sensitive subcommittees should be recommended.