Volkstreue außerparlamentarische Opposition
Volkstreue außerparlamentarische Opposition VAPO (~Extra-parliamentary opposition loyal to the people) was a facist movement in the 2. Austrian Republic. VAPO describes itself as a "loose fighting community of national groups and individuals."[1] IIdeologically, the VAPO and its members were oriented towards National Socialism and wanted a "re-foundation of the NSDAP".[1]
A number of activists networked in the VAPO are crucial for the Neo Nazi structures in Austria and have connections to other groups and parties such as the FPÖ.[2][3][4]
Activities
[edit]VAPO was founded in 1986 by Gottfried Küssel.[5] VAPO founded comrades in some cities and held rallies in St. Pölten and Linz. In addition, "military sports exercises" were carried out together with the Kameradschaft Langenlois. The all-male participants learned how to behave during an interrogation, receive baton training and ideological training, and have to drill. Sometimes there is also live shooting.[6]
Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache (FPÖ), who was in office from 2017 to 2019, and Andreas Reichhardt (FPÖ), who served as Secretary General in the Ministry of Infrastructure in 2018/19, took part in at least one military exercise.
The VAPO took part in the annual Rudolf Heß memorial marches in Germany. In the wake of the letter bombings in the early 1990s, the VAPO was broken up by the police and some members, including VAPO chairman Gottfried Küssel, were convicted of Nazi re-activity.
Persons
[edit]The VAPO wrote in 1987: "Since there are no lists of members to be kept, no responsible persons to be determined and no forms of organization or channels of authority to be observed, access by authorities is made very difficult and almost impossible."[1] Nevertheless, some people are known to have been active in the VAPO circle.
- Heinz-Christian Strache (FPÖ)
- Andreas Reichhardt (FPÖ)
- Sebastian Ortner (FPÖ)[7]
- Hans Jörg Schimanek jun., VAPO leader from 1987 to 1995 an leader "Kameradschaft Langenlois".[8] His sons Jörn and Jörg Schimanek were mebers of Saxon Separatists right-wing terror group.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "DÖW - Erkennen - Rechtsextremismus - Rechtsextreme Organisationen - Volkstreue außerparlamentarische Opposition (VAPO)". www.doew.at. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ "Pressereferent des FPÖ-Klubs hatte in 90er-Jahren Kontakt zu Neonazis". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ juergen.pachner (2013-04-17). "FP-Politiker hatte nach VAPO-Zeit noch rechtsextreme Kontakte". kurier.at (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ UZ (2017-11-19). "Ein Hitlergruß zu viel". Unsere Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ "Der Wehrsportler mit dem braunen Herzen". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ Al-Serori, Leila; Gupta, Oliver Das (2017-10-10). "Die Akte Strache - Strache in der Neonazi-Szene". Süddeutsche.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ juergen.pachner (2013-04-17). "FP-Politiker hatte nach VAPO-Zeit noch rechtsextreme Kontakte". kurier.at (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ "Die "Vapo" als "Motivation für Idioten"". Die Presse (in German). 2011-04-14. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ brescakovic.daniela,anna.thalhammer (2024-11-05). "Neonazis festgenommen - Enkel von FPÖ-Politiker verhaftet". www.profil.at (in German). Retrieved 2024-11-05.