Hundreds of opponents of the Austrian Freedom Party (AFP) protested last night against the traditional right-wing ball, also called the Vienna Academic Ball. Famous AFP figures, including the speaker of the parliament (National Council) Walter Rosenkranz, attended the event, Austrian media reported, quoted by BTA.
The protest march that ended in front of the "St. Stephen's Cathedral" escalated into clashes, in which a small group of masked demonstrators attempted to leave the rally, but were surrounded by the police. Clashes ensued, in which the police used force. Due to the ban on wearing masks, law enforcement agencies had to use coercive measures to establish the identities of the individuals. Four of the demonstrators were arrested. According to police, the protests were generally "without significant incidents," Austrian radio and television reported.
Overall, significantly fewer people took part in the demonstration this year than in previous years. Organizers of the "Offensive Against the Right" told the Austrian news agency APA that around 1,000 people took part in the protest. The police declined to give figures.
The "Antifascist Alliance on Ballhausplatz," a coalition of left-wing NGOs, also organized a rally in front of the entrance to the halls of the Hofburg Palace, where the ball was held.
The police were on duty throughout the night with several hundred officers - including task forces from Vienna's neighboring provinces of Lower and Upper Austria. Both civilian and uniformed officers were deployed, as well as officers from the Vienna State Security and Counter-Extremism Service, a police dog unit, and a specialized riot control unit.