In Vienna, nearly half of the new school entrants barely speak German, with over 40% of students identifying as Muslim. However, instead of attributing the issue to migration, the Mayor of Vienna has shifted the blame to the churches.

The challenges facing Vienna’s schools are no longer marginal. Among students in public educational institutions, 41.2% are of the Islamic faith, while more than half of those starting school struggle with German to the extent that they cannot follow lessons.

When asked about Vienna’s future in 20 years, Mayor Michael Ludwig mentioned political measures such as „restricting family immigration” in an interview with Krone Zeitung, but he quickly downplayed this.

According to Ludwig, the increase in the proportion of Muslim students is also due to „a decrease in Catholics.”

„The question is to what extent the churches can engage their members,” Ludwig stated, choosing to blame the Catholic Church rather than identifying migration as the primary cause. He emphasized that they should do more to counterbalance the religious affiliations of immigrants.

„This is generally the responsibility of institutions like the churches,” said Vienna’s Mayor, who views the growing Muslim population as a positive development. „We welcome every child born in our city. Vienna is now Austria’s youngest province.”

Fast jeder zweite Schulanfänger in Wien versteht kaum Deutsch, über 40 Prozent der Schüler sind muslimischen Glaubens. Doch anstatt Migration klar zu problematisieren, verweist Bürgermeister Michael Ludwig auf ein angebliches Versagen der Kirchen. https://t.co/YzU4aWG7ZC

— exxpress (@exxpressat) January 10, 2026

Vienna’s Mayor Deflects Migration Issues – Claims Sharia ‘Plays No Role’ in the City

While discussions about parallel justice systems and religious norms are ongoing in several European countries, Vienna’s Mayor, Michael Ludwig, remains surprisingly calm, asserting that Sharia „plays no role” in Vienna.

Ludwig firmly rejects calls to ban Sharia and has also chosen not to address the issue of prohibiting the wearing of burqas in the public sector. „We have no employees who wear burqas,” he stated, considering the matter closed.

Previously, it was reported that the Vienna Provincial Court upheld a decision made under Sharia law. This ruling sparked outrage, with many describing it as a breakthrough leading towards a dangerous parallel justice system.

At that time, the Vienna court made it clear that it was not its role to examine which Islamic legal rules were actually applied. The only decisive factor was whether the outcome contradicted the „fundamental values” of Austrian law.

The court clarified that Islamic legal rules applicable in property disputes can be enforced in Austria, regardless of whether they are substantively aligned with existing laws.

Integration Issues and Parallel Societies

Vienna continuously faces integration challenges, parallel societies, and religious extremism. However, Ludwig stands firm in his position: there is no need for further legal measures, and there is no urgency for action at the provincial level.

A survey conducted in 2025 revealed that Austrians are calling for clear rules regarding integration and stricter measures for non-compliance. A study indicates that resentment towards immigrants is rising in Austria, particularly regarding negative perceptions of coexistence with Muslims. Seven out of ten Austrians believe that the country is unable to manage the influx of refugees and asylum seekers effectively.