Vienna FPÖ Demands Probe of Controversial Hietzing Real‑Estate Deal

The Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) in Vienna has called for a “comprehensive, independent special commission” to investigate the disputed sale of the former municipal nursing‑school grounds in Hietzing. Party leader Dominik Nepp said the commission should examine all documents, decision processes and responsibility, including the role of Mayor Michael Ludwig, who was housing‑construction councilor at the time.

The 1.5‑hectare site was sold by the city in 2014 without a tender to the SP‑Wien‑linked developer BAI for €12.5 million. After BAI was taken over by René Benko’s Signa, the property was resold seven years later to a Graz developer for €5.5 million more, a profit that the city cannot claim because of contractual clauses. The FPÖ described the episode as a “hand‑picked SPÖ scandal” benefiting well‑connected investors at taxpayers’ expense.