OMM Newsroom
Around 50,000 people took to the streets of Vienna on Thursday to protest cuts to education spending, Anadolu Agency reported.
The demonstration was organised by the Austrian National Union of Students (OH), which had announced the rally in a press release. It began at 3 pm (1300 GMT) outside the main building of the Vienna University of Technology under the slogan “Red Alert – #SaveTheUniversities!”
The federal government has set aside €16 billion ($17.9 billion) for universities for 2028 through 2030. The Conference of Universities estimates that at least €18 billion would be needed just to cover inflation costs, OH said.
According to OH, the rally drew students and staff from Vienna’s universities as well as members of the academic community from other federal states. The Public Service Union had arranged transport for university staff and doctors from university towns.
Before the demonstration began, OH Chairperson Viktoria Kudrna told local media that the aim was to show resistance. She said there was still hope the government would increase the budget.
Within the federal government, however, the amount is considered final following an agreement reached by senior government officials on Saturday.
OH warned that the cuts could narrow the range of academic programmes, weaken student support services and worsen employment conditions. Kudrna said students were already noticing the effects.
At the Vienna University of Technology, for example, library opening hours have been reduced. In mid-June, the university’s rector, Jens Schneider, imposed a precautionary freeze on new job postings.
University administrations have officially supported the protests, including by giving students and staff time off to take part.
