Leo Lugner addresses Nazi re-engagement allegations

FPÖ politician and Vienna City Councilor Leo Lugner has addressed allegations of Nazi re-engagement following investigations by the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office. Lugner confirmed he has entered into a diversion agreement, which involves performing 160 hours of community service to conclude the proceedings without a formal conviction.

In a statement released on X, Lugner expressed regret for ill-considered remarks made in private chats approximately nine years ago, including an allusion to ‘Eiernockerl’ on April 20. He stated that he would not repeat such comments today and emphasized his condemnation of National Socialist ideology and the crimes of the Nazi regime.

In response to the investigation, NEOS City Councilor and Landtag member Thomas Weber has called for Lugner’s immediate resignation. Weber argued that there is no place in the Vienna Landtag for individuals under investigation for Nazi re-engagement, citing house searches and evaluated chat logs as evidence of the seriousness of the matter. Weber also urged the FPÖ to clarify its connections to right-wing extremist networks, such as the Identitarian Movement.