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Austria Now News – Graz
Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner is considering filing a complaint with the competent district administrative authority after a tent bearing the branding of the Austrian Armed Forces (Bundesheer) was used at a summer party organised by a local branch of the Freedom Party (FPÖ), according to the newspaper oe24.
The party branch in Gössendorf, in the Graz-Umgebung district, held a summer party on 11 August attended by Styrian Governor Mario Kunasek of the FPÖ. The initiative Stoppt die Rechten noticed that part of the celebration took place under an Armed Forces tent, raising questions given the principle of party-political neutrality binding on the military.
Minister’s reply to parliamentary question
Responding to a parliamentary question from Green MP David Stögmüller, Tanner explained that the tent was an old model bearing the branding used by the Armed Forces until July 2018, and that it had been discarded in line with internal regulations, after which a person outside the ministry took it and lent it out. The minister stressed that the Austrian Armed Forces do not support any party-political activities.
Possible complaint and fine
According to the reply, a complaint is being considered because the use of the military national emblem and the Armed Forces’ branding may violate civil provisions and military laws. According to oe24, the local party branch could face at least a fine if a complaint is filed. No final decision has been made so far.
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Sources
- oe24 – FPÖ verwendet Heeres-Zelt: Ministerin überlegt Anzeige – 01.11.2026 – oe24.at
