Austria’s top court questions a wind power referendum, Westbahn travellers brace for long delays, Lake Mondsee leaseholders told to renegotiate—plus more stories from Austria on Thursday.
Constitutional Court questions legality of Carinthian wind power referendum
Austria’s Constitutional Court is reviewing the legality of a January 2025 wind power referendum in Carinthia, citing concerns that the question was biased, Der Standard reported.
The vote, initiated by the right-wing FPÖ and members of Team Carinthia, asked residents whether wind turbines should be banned “to protect Carinthian nature”—a wording that the court said may have violated rules against leading questions.
Although the result was not legally binding, the narrow victory for the “no” side had political weight. A similar vote in Waidhofen an der Thaya was recently annulled due to unclear phrasing. The court has now requested a response from the Carinthian state government before issuing a final decision.
Owner of Lake Mondsee terminates all lease contracts
Leaseholders on Lake Mondsee have been informed that their existing agreements for buoys, huts, and jetties are being terminated, according to Der Standard.
Anna Mathyl, who inherited the lake from her mother, Nicolette Waechter, has exercised a special right of termination and instructed users to contact her administration to negotiate new contracts.
Lake Mondsee is the only major Salzkammergut lake in private hands. Local officials emphasised that general access to the lake for bathing and boating remains permitted; however, users of facilities anchored in the lakebed will be affected.
Man acquitted in Vienna Nazi trial over racist abuse
A 56-year-old man accused of shouting “Heil Hitler” and hurling racist insults at children in a Viennese housing complex was acquitted after a tied jury vote, Der Standard reported.
The defendant admitted shouting racial slurs but denied glorifying the Nazi regime, claiming he was frustrated by noise in the courtyard and had been drinking.
Despite testimony from a neighbour who said she heard him reference the Gestapo and praise Hitler, the court found insufficient consensus for a conviction. The judge warned the man to be more careful about what he says in the future.
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Coalition fails to reach agreement on tipping tax reform
Austria’s three-party coalition has yet to agree on new rules for taxing tips, ORF reported.
Although the ÖVP and SPÖ support flat-rate models backed by trade unions and industry groups, NEOS continues to oppose them, arguing they are too high. NEOS has also suggested scrapping taxation on tips altogether.
The issue has gained urgency due to a rise in card-based gratuities, which are easier for tax authorities to track and monitor. Critics warn that tax-free tipping could harm pension contributions. Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) and Vice-Chancellor Andreas Babler (SPÖ) said a compromise would be found “very soon.”
Graz man arrested after series of bomb threats
A 25-year-old man was arrested in Graz after making multiple bomb threats online, ORF Steiermark reported.
The man had posted threats to attack Jakominiplatz and was found in the area shortly after. Police also linked him to a similar threat in May that triggered evacuations.
Although no explosives were found, the man confessed and said he wanted attention. He has been admitted to hospital, and authorities are evaluating the legal consequences of his actions.
Fake police scammers sentenced to prison in Vienna
Two men were sentenced to three and four-and-a-half years in prison for defrauding elderly people by posing as police officers, ORF Wien reported.
The men collected valuables under the pretext of protecting victims from supposed burglaries. The fraud totalled around €300,000 and included gold coins, bars, and tens of thousands in cash.
The scheme was coordinated from abroad and involved fake police IDs. A third suspect failed to appear in court. The judge described the case as “one of the most reprehensible forms of fraud.”
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Westbahn travellers face major delays in 2026 and 2027
Long-distance rail travellers on Austria’s Westbahn line should prepare for major disruptions due to upcoming renovations in Germany, Kurier reported.
Deutsche Bahn will close key corridor routes near Salzburg, causing rerouting and delays of up to 90 minutes between February and July 2027.
Preliminary work will begin in mid-2026. Salzburg is expected to be especially affected, with some long-distance services cancelled to prioritise local trains. ÖBB and private operator Westbahn are coordinating replacement services, but transport officials have warned of reduced capacity during the construction phases.
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