On Saturday, Vienna saw disturbance during a demonstration by the far-right Identitarian movement and a march by anti-fascist groups. According to the police, masked individuals threw stones and bottles, and officers were attacked with pepper spray. This resulted in over 100 identity checks, 43 temporary arrests, several charges, three injured police officers, and a damaged police car.

The far-right groups held their demonstration under the slogan “Remigration.” In response, left-wing groups organized counter-events. Hundreds of police officers were deployed to keep the two groups apart, which they managed to do.

Masked protesters tried several times to disrupt the far-right march using pyrotechnics and a sit-in blockade. This led to identity checks and arrests when protesters refused to move. During the police operation, officers used pepper spray multiple times. Three officers were injured, and unknown individuals damaged the front and rear windows of a police car.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner emphasized that the police will consistently pursue any criminal acts during demonstrations, regardless of whether they are committed by left- or right-wing extremists or other enemies of democracy.

The Green Party and the SPÖ had criticized the event in advance, highlighting connections between the Identitarians and the FPÖ. Eva Blimlinger of the Green Party called on Minister Karner to stop the far-right activities and encouraged participation in the counter-demonstrations. She warned that the far right aims to end pluralistic democratic society and replace it with an authoritarian one based on ethnic criteria.

SPÖ federal manager Sandra Breiteneder stressed Austria’s responsibility to combat right-wing extremism. She warned that under an FPÖ-led government, ethno-nationalist ideologies could become socially acceptable again. She urged Minister Karner to take action against any legal violations during the march.