Authorities have uncovered a large collection of Nazi memorabilia in a forest lodge in Lower Austria, formerly home to Rene Schimanek, a member of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) and chief of staff to Walter Rosenkranz, president of the lower house of the Austrian parliament, according to ORF reports.
The discovery was made as part of a broader investigation into the German far-right group known as the “Saxon Separatists.”
Links to Far-Right Group
Schimanek has come under scrutiny after Austria’s domestic intelligence service, working alongside German authorities, searched the property in Langenlois, Krems district, where Schimanek is a local councillor. Investigators reportedly found Nazi artefacts, photographs, bullets and military vests.
At the time of the search, Schimanek was officially registered as living there, although he later changed his residence.
The investigation was triggered by German authorities’ inquiries into the “Saxon Separatists,” a far-right group accused of plotting an armed coup in eastern Germany to establish a far-right regime.
In November, German prosecutors arrested eight suspected members in Germany and Poland. Two of those detained – identified as Jörg and Jörn S. – are reported to be Schimanek’s nephews.
A Far-Right Hideout
The forest lodge, owned by the town of Langenlois, has been leased to the Schimanek family since the 1970s. Until recently, it was home to Hans Jörg Schimanek senior, the late former leader of the Lower Austrian FPÖ.
Last week, it emerged that the lodge had been earmarked as a retreat for the “Saxon Separatists” in the event of an attempted coup. Austrian intelligence services subsequently carried out a search of the property, leading to further investigations.
Calls for Action
The discovery has sparked outrage among Austria’s political parties. The People’s Party (ÖVP) – which had been in talks to join an FPÖ-led national government – called for action, with party secretary Alexander Pröll stating:
“National Council President Walter Rosenkranz must protect Parliament from any damage and take the necessary steps.”
The Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Greens have gone further, demanding Schimanek’s suspension. SPÖ MP Sabine Schatz said: “It is unacceptable that a senior member of the National Council President’s office, who is apparently under investigation in connection with Nazi memorabilia and ammunition, remains employed in the President’s office.”
Lukas Hammer, the Greens’ spokesperson for right-wing extremism, warned: “There is a well-founded suspicion that the violent far-right arm of neo-Nazis has reached into the upper echelons of parliamentary leadership. This is utterly unacceptable, and we cannot simply carry on as normal.”
Rosenkranz Defends Aide
National Council President Walter Rosenkranz has defended his chief of staff, describing him as “a valued figure not just in my office, but in all other departments as well,” and insisting that the presumption of innocence must apply. “This principle applies in this case, just as it does for any other citizen in Austria,” he said in a statement.
The investigation remains ongoing.
