Vienna Mayor Ludwig Targeted by FPÖ Over Market Office Probe and Voter Outreach

Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Dominik Nepp accused Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig of running a "paternal, mafia-like" patronage network, alleging that appointments, housing grants and other benefits are handed out only to allies. Nepp claimed the market office chief was personally installed by Ludwig and called for an investigation, a constitutional amendment reversal, and even new elections, saying the system has damaged the city's administration.

In a separate speech, Nepp appealed to Turkish and Balkan migrants, praising naturalised citizens and highlighting a sharp rise in naturalisations of Syrians and Afghans. He presented this outreach as part of the FPÖ’s strategy ahead of the 2025 Vienna elections, noting that the number of newly naturalised Syrians rose from 83 in 2013 to 2,241 in 2024, and Afghans from 208 to 1,056 in the same period.