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Pollak: “FPÖ leadership is anchored in the far right”

(Bild: krone.tv )

"The FPÖ is deeply rooted in right-wing extremism today. Ninety-five people, including almost the entire party leadership, are involved in right-wing extremist networks," said Alexander Pollak, spokesperson for SOS Mitmensch, in an interview with krone.tv. Despite these connections, the FPÖ is "still operating within the legal framework," Pollak continued. 

Pollak also points to the involvement of the Freedom Party Youth: "For the first time, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has included the Freedom Party Youth in its report this year because there are more and more overlaps with the Identitarian movement." The Office for the Protection of the Constitution considers this close cooperation to be particularly dangerous: "There is no daylight between the Freedom Party Youth and the FPÖ," Pollak adds. This mutual support is a serious threat to democracy. But it supports groups "that are already operating outside the legal framework and have been convicted of acts of violence and incitement."

Crises as a breeding ground for extremism
Right-wing extremist activities are also on the rise in Austria. When asked why, Pollak says, "The years of crisis we have now experienced due to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and inflation are playing a role." These crises are fueling a general malaise among the population and creating a climate in which simple solutions to complex problems are sought. "Extremist groups are trying to exploit this, offering promises of salvation and also attempting to act as accelerants, further increasing uncertainty. In some cases, they certainly feel emboldened by the support of the FPÖ," Pollak adds.

You can watch the entire interview in the video above!