Austrian domestic politics recently experienced a considerable shake-up due to false accusations by the FPÖ, which claimed that Federal Police Director Michael Takacs had met with the fugitive ex-Wirecard manager Jan Marsalek on several occasions. These accusations led to legal action by Takacs, which resulted in a retraction and a cease-and-desist declaration by the FPÖ.

FPÖ party chairman Herbert Kickl and Secretary General Michael Schnedlitz had claimed in reports on FPÖ TV that Takacs had met Marsalek several times and was involved in espionage against Russia, as reported by “DerStandard”. These statements, which Schnedlitz described as an “atomic bomb”, were intended to undermine Takacs' credibility and integrity and put him in a bad light. Takacs, who has served as Federal Police Director since July 2022, responded promptly and decisively with a civil lawsuit for defamation of character and damage to credit.