Vienna Vice Mayor Barbara Novak Rejects FPÖ Criticism on EU AI Gigafactory

FPÖ state party chairman Dominik Nepp criticised Vienna for the European AI‑gigafactory programme, claiming the city was responsible for the decision. Vice mayor Barbara Novak countered that the AI‑gigafactory call was decided at EU level, not by the Viennese city council, and that Nepp’s remarks were misdirected.

Novak explained that the original project concept included substantial public participation, infrastructure development and a strategic partnership for a local digital hub. The published EU call, however, now focuses on the long‑term procurement of AI compute power through a European buying group, reducing the role of site‑specific infrastructure. She added that Vienna is well prepared, with strong research institutions, innovative companies and sufficient energy capacity, and that federal support would be needed to realise a local site.

The vice mayor’s response highlights the shift from a city‑centred digital‑infrastructure model to a broader EU‑wide procurement strategy and underscores Vienna’s readiness to contribute to Europe’s AI compute capacity.