Far-right on the rise in Austria, president warns

Austria’s president has reminded citizens that their country was a supporter of Nazi Germany and has urged them to be vigilant against a resurgence of extreme-right sentiment.

Far-right on the rise in Austria, president warns

Austria’s president has reminded citizens that their country was a supporter of Nazi Germany and has urged them to be vigilant against a resurgence of extreme-right sentiment.

Heinz Fischer was speaking on the 70th anniversary of the founding of post-war Austria, at a ceremony attended by German president Joachim Gauck and other dignitaries.

Mr Fischer urged Austrians to “resist the beginnings” of any of the sentiments that led to their country’s embrace of Hitler.

Austria long portrayed itself as a victim of Nazi Germany, which annexed the country in 1938.

But politicians have since owned up to its role as a major perpetrator of Nazi atrocities.

Mr Fischer said that while many Austrians were opposed to the Nazis or were Nazi victims, “a depressingly large number were sympathisers (and) supporters”.

more courts articles

Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van

More in this section

French legislators ponder law to ban discrimination based on a person’s hair French legislators ponder law to ban discrimination based on a person’s hair
China ends tariffs on Australian wine as relations between countries thaw China ends tariffs on Australian wine as relations between countries thaw
US military drains giant wartime fuel tanks which had poisoned water supply US military drains giant wartime fuel tanks which had poisoned water supply
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited