Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has proposed banning "political Islam" through a constitutional law, arguing that while freedom of religion must be protected, the use of Islam for political ends is incompatible with Austria's democracy and Western values. The plan, backed by Integration Minister Claudia Bauer, has drawn cautious support from opposition parties, though legal experts warn that the lack of a clear definition of "political Islam" could make any ban difficult to enforce, especially given that anti-democratic activity is already covered by existing law.

Muslims make up 8.3% of Austria's population according to the 2021 census, the country's largest religious minority, with numbers rising steadily since the 1970s. The proposal follows a Vienna-commissioned poll of 1,200 people aged 14 to 21, which found 41% of young Muslims believed their religious beliefs should override national law, 46% agreed people should be prepared to "fight and die", and 65% said Islamic rules should apply strictly to daily life — findings ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti called a "devastating picture" and a "clear warning signal".