Vienna – ESI at the Austrian Parliament: Austria must do its part to defend Europe

22 October 2025
Gerald at the Austrian Parliament. Photo: NEOS
Gerald at the Austrian Parliament. Photo: NEOS

ESI’s Gerald Knaus participated in a podium discussion held in the Austria parliament titled “Europas Sicherheit im Stresstest.” The event was organized by NEOS, Austria’s main liberal political party. The event noted the dangers facing Europe and the importance of Austria taking a more active role in European security.

Gerald began by noting that Euro-Atlantic project is under more pressure today than it has been at any point since the end of the Cold War. This is a great danger, Gerald argued. He noted NATO and the EU’s historic success in transforming the North Atlantic from an area of fiercest warfare into one in which internal conflict is now unthinkable and human rights are firmly anchored. The miraculous success of countries such as Poland, the Baltics, and many of Austria’s eastern partners are only possible because of this peace and security

Yet, this progress now faces fundamental dangers from authoritarian forces both within and outside of Europe. Putin and other authoritarian forces have openly aligned themselves with an internal threat – Europe’s authoritarian, nationalist far-right who, were they to come to power, would deliver a grievous blow to Europe’s defence integration. Thus, Putin uses hybrid warfare tactics, including spreading disinformation and working to cause mass-Ukrainian migration towards Europe, to benefit these parties. This strategy is paying off, with the far-right now topping Austrian polls.

In the face of this growing threat, neutrality will no longer protect countries like Austria from despots like Putin, and Austria will continue to be disproportionally impacted by Russia’s targeting of Eastern Europe. Austrian and European liberals must now take a stand and recommit to European integration, including on topics such as defence and NATO.

Gerald NEOS Panel