Vienna to name bridge after Václav Havel

The Vienna City Council has decided to honor the late Czech President Václav Havel by naming a piece of city infrastructure after him, fulfilling a promise made 15 years ago. While the specific location is not yet finalized, discussions have centered on the Salzach Bridge, which spans the Danube Canal and connects the first and second districts.

The bridge is scheduled for demolition and replacement at the beginning of 2028, at which point it is expected to bear Havel's name. The proposal was supported by a coalition including the Social Democrats, NEOS, the Greens, and the ÖVP, while the FPÖ voted against the measure.

The FPÖ's opposition was based on Havel's past support for EU sanctions against Austria during the early 2000s, which were triggered by the presence of far-right elements in the Austrian government at the time. The party also argued that many significant Austrian figures have yet to receive similar honors.