Criticism of the influx: St. Pölten should not become the Vienna of refugees”.

Criticism of the influx: St. Pölten should not become the Vienna of refugees”.

The city of St. Pölten has experienced a significant demographic change. At the beginning of July 2025, the population exceeded the 60,000 mark for the first time. Mayor Matthias Stadler (SP) emphasizes the human and social orientation of the city, but is also facing increasing criticism, especially from the FPÖ. According to [Heute](https://www.heute.at/s/fpoe-antauer-st-poeten-darf-nicht-wien- Werden-120156470), FP top candidate Martin Antauer describes the influx of over 7,835 people since 2012 as “a single asylum program at taxpayer expense”. Social assistance is particularly affected - of the 1,300 recipients in the city, 75 percent are foreigners, according to Antauer.

A look at the data reveals that more than 2,000 Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis have found a new home in St. Pölten since 2015. The influx is also reflected in the general migration trend: in 2024, the proportion of foreigners in Austria was already around 20 percent, an increase compared to 13 percent in 2015 Statista. There is clearly an increase in immigration from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan, which is also visible in St. Pölten. The upcoming local council election on January 25, 2026 could be groundbreaking in this context.

Social challenges and integration offers

St. Pölten has to overcome a variety of challenges due to the influx. The city government has responded to this and set up numerous advice centers for immigrants. These offers include information and support in various life situations; from the employment service to specialized advice for migrants [St. Pölten]. The support ranges from issuing settlement permits to social integration.

There are many contacts, including the employment service (Daniel-Gran-Straße 10) and several advice centers such as the refugee advice center and the integration and education center of the Diakonie refugee service. These contact points are essential to help newcomers settle in their new home in a timely manner and become an active part of society.

Public discussion and political impulses

Critical voices about integration policy are increasing. Martin Antauer even describes St. Pölten as a “paradise for economic refugees” and calls for a change in the mayoralty. The tenor surrounding social justice and cost developments is causing heated debates and influencing the political agenda [Heute](https://www.heute.at/s/fpoe-antauer-st-poelten-darf-nicht-wien- Werden-120156470).

The city's challenges are complex and could lead to increased discussion about security and integration in the future. According to recent reports, the number of racist incidents in Austria has increased, which could put additional strain on dialogue between different cultures. According to Statista, an increase in right-wing crimes was recorded in 2024, which were not nearly to this extent in the previous year.

St. Pölten is therefore faced with a balancing act: How can we ensure the integration of the many newcomers and at the same time take into account the social tensions in the population? The coming elections will certainly show how the city leadership responds to these challenges and what answers it can offer citizens.