National Council President Rosenkranz Disagrees with State Protection Assessment

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National Council President Rosenkranz Disagrees with State Protection Assessment

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A recent parliamentary inquiry has brought to light that Walter Rosenkranz, the President of the National Council and a member of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), reportedly diverges from the assessment of the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence Service (DSN) concerning the far-right Identitarian Movement (IB).

The DSN, an agency within the Interior Ministry, has publicly stated that the Identitarian Movement remains “fundamentally” a “security risk,” and that this applies even if its members are not directly threatening violence or under surveillance. This clarification from the Interior Ministry was issued in June, in response to the FPÖ’s belief that active or former Identitarians could work as parliamentary employees. The DSN explicitly countered this, asserting the continued security risk posed by the group.

Green National Council member Lukas Hammer submitted a parliamentary inquiry to Rosenkranz, seeking to ascertain if his position on the Identitarian Movement had shifted, especially in light of recent revelations about alleged racist and misogynistic activities and the Interior Ministry’s clear statement. However, Rosenkranz reportedly declined to provide a direct answer, instead emphasizing that he generally attributes “fundamental importance” to the DSN.

The relationship between the FPÖ and the Identitarian Movement has been a subject of ongoing discussion. While former FPÖ leader Norbert Hofer maintained a clear distance from the Identitarians, current party chairman Herbert Kickl has referred to them as an “interesting and commendable project” and an “NGO of the right.” Reports from August 2026 indicate a strengthening of ties, with the DSN noting that the employment of former and current Identitarian members by the FPÖ suggests a lowering of inhibitions for cooperation between the “right-wing extremist preliminary organization” and “party political decision-makers.” This could potentially grant right-wing extremists increased access to parliamentary resources and sensitive information.

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