Especially from the right

Austrians see extremism as a threat

(Bild: APA/dpa/Bernd Thissen)

Austrians certainly see extremism as a threat. After corruption, extremism is perceived as the second greatest risk to the democratic order, together with uncontrolled immigration and integration problems. At least that is the result of a Gallup study of 1000 respondents. Right-wing extremism and religious extremism cause more concern than left-wing extremism.

The number of respondents who believe that democracy is under threat is surprisingly high, at 46%. Three out of five respondents consider the danger posed by the radical right to be very or somewhat great, while 46% consider the radical left to be a risk. Religious extremism is seen as a threat to society by 55% and ecologically motivated extremism by 40% of the population.

FPÖ supporters have a more relaxed view of right-wing extremists
In terms of political orientation, only FPÖ supporters predominantly believe that the radical right poses no threat to Austria. The majority of Freedom Party and ÖVP supporters regard left-wing extremism as a threat. In the ranks of the FPÖ, there are also greater concerns about ecological extremism than in other political camps. Religiously motivated extremism poses less of a threat to supporters of the Greens, NEOS and SPÖ than to supporters of the ÖVP and FPÖ.

When asked whether anti-democratic political parties should be banned in Austria, 44% are in favor and 35% against.