The student associations will dance again in the Hofburg on Friday evening. Due to the protests, there is a ban on squares and there are a number of roadblocks in the city, there is a red alarm and more than 900 police officers are present.
When members of the brotherhood and FPÖ officials meet at the controversial academic ball on Friday evening, the city center is in a state of emergency.
A large number of executives are needed to dance in the Hofburg. Tomorrow evening, a total of around 900 uniformed and civilian officers from Vienna, with the support of the federal states, will ensure “the maintenance of public order and security”, as the “Krone” says.
In recent years, demonstrations have sometimes led to serious riots and enormous material damage. Although it was suspiciously quiet this time, the area around the Hofburg is cordoned off again just to be on the safe side. There is a seating ban that comes into effect at 5 p.m. (see graph).
According to the Vienna police, five meetings have been announced. The march of the “offensive against the right” demonstration will also start at 5 p.m. at the University of Vienna in Schottentor and is expected to end at Stephansplatz. Meanwhile, there was excitement over a message from the Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH), which was interpreted by some on social media as a call for violence. For example, it said ‘fraternities break their dancing legs’ and ‘Nazis in the mouth’.
It is neither confirmed nor denied whether Martin Sellner, head of the Identitarian Movement, will be there again this time. Anyone can buy a ticket, says FPÖ city councilor and ball organizer Udo Guggenbichler. In any case, he is looking forward to prom night in a relaxed manner.
Restrictions on the road and public transport
Bus lines 1A, 2A and 3A will be stopped from approximately 3 p.m. The tram lines around the ring can also be shortened or diverted. This will particularly affect the ring route between Schwarzenbergplatz and the university, the alternative route on the two-person line and the access roads to the ring. From 4 p.m. there will be a ring closure for car traffic (Operngasse to Schottengasse). The ÖAMTC therefore recommends avoiding large areas, for example along the Danube Canal or across the Belt.
Source: Krone
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