Schülerunion expels candidate after group photo with far-right salute

According to the Schülerunion, the expelled applicant was not yet a member of the organization at the time the photo was taken. The photo also had no connection to any Schülerunion event. The other persons depicted had likewise never held an official function within the organization, a spokesperson emphasized.

The candidate was, according to the Schülerunion, a member of the Vienna state group at the time of publication. The expulsion took place after the photo became publicly known. Substantive details about the election procedure or the voting were not initially disclosed.

Chat logs and initial distancing

The organization thus came under pressure for the second time within just a few days. Previously, chat logs from the circles of Schülerunion officials had caused a stir, containing partly racist, sexist, and Nazi-trivializing content. One of the messages read: „A Frau ohne Brüste ist wertlos“. Another: „Desto mehr ein Tier leidet, desto besser schmeckt das essen…“. Yet another: „Ich geh als SS-Offizier bei da party dan“.

The Schülerunion had already distanced itself from these chat contents and announced consequences. Affected members were obliged to take part in sensitization workshops. Schülerunion chairman Maximilian Pech stated: „Uns ist wichtig, klarzustellen: Rechtsextremes Gedankengut hat in der Schülerunion keinen Platz und wir akzeptieren so etwas auch dann nicht, wenn es außerhalb unseres Vereinskontexts passiert“.

At the same time, the organization pointed out that the majority of the persons depicted in the photo were not members of the Schülerunion. In one case, according to APA, a separate Wiederbetätigung (re-engagement in Nazi activities) charge is being brought against a member of the group „Unsterblich Wien“. The Schülerunion emphasized that it would only accept accusations against its own organization if they originated from within its own context.

Reactions from the student representation

The election for the Vienna state student representation already took place on Monday. State student representations will be elected in the individual federal states in the coming weeks nationwide. The Schülerunion runs in these as a student association politically close to the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP).

Open questions on the follow-up

Sharp criticism came from within the student representation. Styrian AHS state student spokesman Wendelin Krammer (Progress) called for a comprehensive and transparent investigation of the incidents. He said: „Innerhalb weniger Tage werden bereits zum zweiten Mal Vorwürfe mit Bezug zu NS-Verherrlichung im Umfeld der Schülerunion öffentlich“. He also asked: „Das wirft aus meiner Sicht die Frage auf, ob wir noch über Einzelfälle sprechen oder ob es ein tiefergehendes Problem gibt“.

Krammer also questioned when the organization had internally learned of the respective incidents and whether consequences had only been drawn shortly before the public reporting. The Schülerunion has not yet commented on this allegation regarding timing. The question of what concrete steps have been initiated to review its own structures also remained unanswered for the time being.

The events throw a spotlight on the handling of far-right tendencies within political youth and student organizations in Austria. Observers point out that the Schülerunion, as an ÖVP-affiliated organization, plays an important role in the political socialization of students. The incident could further intensify the debate over internal oversight and control mechanisms.