Shock, dismay – Pride attack thwarted: this is how politicians react

“This success of the investigation shows once again that one should never give in in the fight against radicals and extremists,” said Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP). “They are a threat to our democracy and security, and we must take firm action against them.” Extremism – whether from the left, right or from an Islamic background – has no place in society.

“The Directorate of State Security and Intelligence has once again demonstrated that it consistently and efficiently fights any form of extremism,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP). “I would like to thank all the investigators involved for their professional work and commitment. However, for this sensitive and difficult task, this authority also needs other modern and therefore up-to-date legal framework conditions,” he said of the investigations of the Office for the Protection of the constitution.

Ludwig: “No place for hatred and exclusion”
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig thanked the security forces and made it clear: “There must be no place for hatred and exclusion in Vienna! Our city is colorful and cosmopolitan.” He also thanked the security forces.

Integration Minister Raab is shocked
Integration Minister Susanne Raab (ÖVP) commented on Twitter: “I am shocked by the cowardly plans to attack the Pride Parade. I would like to thank the DSN and the police for responding quickly and in a timely manner. All forms of extremism must become powerful contested and severely punished.”

Organizers: “Don’t let yourself down”
“We will not let the enemies of LGBTIQ rights, democracy and an open society bring us down,” said the parade’s organizing team. Community rights are “increasingly threatened by regression lately and we have to fight every day for our visibility and safety,” said Ann-Sophie Otte, president of the Homosexual Initiative (HOSI) Vienna. The rainbow parade with over 300,000 participants was “this loud and visible signal” that “we stand here together”. “We are in close contact with the security authorities throughout the year and would like to thank them for the good and close cooperation, also with regard to the rainbow parade,” Vienna Pride organizer Katharina Kacerovsky-Strobl said in a broadcast.

For Mahrer, the SPÖ is to blame
“The Vienna SPÖ looked the other way for decades and gave up on integration. Diversity and a colorful Vienna were used as an excuse,” criticized Karl Mahrer, chairman of the ÖVP state party. Ethnic communities would self-isolate, opening the door for extremists.

According to FPÖ security spokesman Hannes Amesbauer, “Islamic terrorism” is the biggest threat to public security. “A complete turnaround is needed in the field of migration,” he pleaded again for an asylum freeze. He also asked why information about the official act was given while the new SPÖ boss Andreas Babler appeared in the ORF press.

Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic, Green spokeswoman for LGBTIQ and human rights, sees many unanswered questions. She called for “full transparency so you get a clear picture of how likely such an attack was and whether it remains a gamble”. The LGBTIQ community deserves not only protection, but also respect: “Instead of fear, the community now needs full education.”

NEOS spokesperson: ‘Terror must not leave a millimeter of space’
NEOS LGBTIQ spokesperson Yannick Shetty demanded: “We must not leave an inch of space for radicalization and terror.” One should not be “blind in any eye”. The danger of Islamist-motivated attacks on the community has been increasing for years. The deputy mayor of Vienna, Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS), also thanked the police and all emergency services for ensuring a safe rainbow parade yesterday.