Wels Mayor orders return of crucifixes to Austrian schools

Andreas Rabl, the mayor of Wels and a member of the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), has ordered the immediate return of 117 crucifixes to local schools before the start of the new academic year. Following an inspection of 238 classrooms in primary and secondary schools during the summer break, city officials discovered a widespread absence of religious and state symbols, including 187 missing federal coats of arms and 192 missing provincial coats of arms.

Rabl stated that the presence of these symbols is a legal requirement and serves as an expression of the community's values and homeland. In several Austrian states, including Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, and Burgenland, laws mandate the presence of a crucifix in every classroom regardless of the religious majority.

The issue remains a point of political debate in Austria. While the FPÖ and the conservative ÖVP view the symbols as cultural markers, the Greens and other left-wing groups advocate for secular schools. A 2025 survey indicated that 67% of Austrians support maintaining crucifixes in public buildings.