Federation of Independents
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The Federation of Independents (de: Verband der Unabhängigen – VdU) was an Austrian political party from 1949 to 1955.
It was founded on March 25, 1949 by Dr. Herbert Kraus and Dr. Viktor Reimann. The constituent assembly was held in Salzburg on the next day on March 26, 1949. The chairman (Bundesobmann) was Herbert Kraus, the vice-chairmen (Bundesobmann-Stellvertreter) were Viktor Reimann, Josef Karoly, Karl Hartleb, and Dr. Karl Winkler.
The VdU saw itself as representing the interests of former Nazis, expellees from Central and Eastern Europe, returning POWs and other discontent portions of the Austrian population. Although close to the Austrian People's Party, the party also advocated liberal individuality, and did not concern itself much with the "catholic question." The VdU supported the abolition of laws limiting the political activities of former Nazis. In the elections of 1949, it obtained 12% of votes and 16 seats in the National Council. Losses in subsequent elections and internal strife led to the collapse of the party, which was absorbed by the newly founded Freedom Party of Austria in 1955.de:Verband der Unabhängigen
