With cross-party affirmations of neutrality, the 70th anniversary of the signing of the State Treaty was celebrated on Thursday. Not only Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) described neutrality at a commemorative event in front of the Belvedere Palace as an indispensable part of Austria’s self-identity. Already beforehand, all three representatives of the National Council presidium in Parliament had viewed the State Treaty as a mandate that must be brought to life.

The phrase spoken 70 years ago by then Foreign Minister Leopold Figl at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna—“Austria is free”—is “more than a historical phrase,” emphasized Stocker at the federal government’s ceremony at the historic site of the treaty’s signing. “It is a legacy.” On this day—May 15, 1955—Austria regained its long-awaited freedom, independence, and national sovereignty. “On this day, Austria became a sovereign republic again,” said the Chancellor.

Reconciliation and bridging divides had made Austria what it is today, Stocker continued: “A vibrant, stable, and resilient republic. And one of the most beautiful, prosperous, and safest countries on Earth.” A “vital part of our self-conception” is neutrality, which has never been a “neutrality of mindset.” Freedom must always be re-earned, the Chancellor reminded, especially in times when authoritarian systems and dictatorships are on the rise.

Government Members Emphasize “Mandate”

Before Stocker, other members of the government had also paid tribute to the historic anniversary. Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) also saw in the State Treaty not only a historical document but a mandate to protect and expand democracy. Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger (NEOS) also emphasized the duty to remain “vigilant.” Defending these values is not just the task of the military, stressed Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP)—“it is our shared responsibility.”

Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen held back from speaking on this day but attended the celebration in Parliament. “Only collective action and mutual respect keep democracy and freedom alive,” he wrote on social media. The chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Salzburg Archbishop Franz Lackner, also spoke via Kathpress, calling for prayers “for a peaceful and free Austria in a world that may recognize the senselessness of war and oppression.”

Commitments in Parliament

Declarations of commitment were also heard earlier in Parliament. National Council President Martin Graf called the State Treaty a “secular relic of recent Austrian history.” Even before its signing, all parties had aimed for neutrality. “I bow today with great respect to the achievements and diplomatic skill of the great statesmen of those years,” said Graf. Their legacy is a call to keep the State Treaty alive today—such as by implementing Article 7, which provides for bilingual place-name signs for minority groups.

Second National Council President Peter Haubner (ÖVP) also bowed “his head in respectful remembrance” of those involved 70 years ago. “At the same time, we raise it in pride as free citizens of a sovereign, democratic Austria,” he emphasized in his speech. The history of the State Treaty highlights “how important the parliamentary path was for our freedom,” Haubner concluded, also stressing: “This State Treaty is not just a legal document; it is a living mandate.” Neutrality must “prove itself anew every day,” and freedom, democracy, and neutrality are not to be taken for granted.

“Temporarily Underappreciated”

The State Treaty “should also in the future remain a mandate and obligation,” said Third National Council President Doris Bures (SPÖ). Through it, Austria became a hub for visible peace policy. “It’s time to revive this tradition,” Bures agreed with her predecessors. Neutrality had brought peace and security to the country for 70 years—even if it had been “temporarily underappreciated.” “Austrian neutrality has never stood in contradiction to international solidarity,” Bures emphasized.

First-hand experiences from the post-war period were shared during the parliamentary ceremony by former Federal President Heinz Fischer (SPÖ) and former National Council President Andreas Khol (ÖVP). Following this, the parliamentary party leaders discussed the significance of the State Treaty. The absence of FPÖ leader Herbert Kickl was defended by Norbert Nemeth, saying they were a “division-of-labor party group.” That this was even a topic at the ceremony was criticized afterward by FPÖ Secretary-General Christian Hafenecker in a press release.