President marked National Day with a letter to the Krone newspaper, reflecting on the 1955 State Treaty and the subsequent departure of foreign troops. He noted that the was passed on October 26 that year.
The President addressed Austria's history, stating many citizens were complicit in the Holocaust. He described neutrality as a high good but not a protective shield, calling for a defense-ready Federal Army, resilient economy, and independent energy supply.
Van der Bellen warned of cyberattacks on hospitals and municipalities, alongside targeted false reports aimed at dividing society. On National Day, the public can visit the and Parliament while viewing military displays at the square.