Politician dolls at shooting event draw criticism in Vorarlberg
Wednesday 14th October 2026 on 12:30 in
Austria
A scene featuring dolls of politicians at a 2023 shooting event has prompted criticism from political parties after images appeared in Kennelbach’s municipal newsletter, ORF reported. One doll, depicting then-SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner in lingerie, is shown on the lap of a figure bearing the face of former FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache.
The images appeared in an article marking the 50th anniversary of the Kennelbach shooting venue. They depict a dark bar and a backroom scene, where two other armed figures are visible in the background and appear to be intended targets.
The scene was part of the International Defence Shooting for members of law enforcement and the armed forces, held in April 2023. The event takes place every three years and attracts up to 300 participants from Austria and abroad. Participants use live ammunition in realistic scenarios they have not seen in advance, deciding whether to shoot.
The Vorarlberg State Police Directorate told the Vorarlberger Nachrichten newspaper that it had no involvement in the event. Any officers who attended did so in their free time, it said.
SPÖ women’s spokesperson Manuela Auer called the depiction humiliating and said those responsible, as well as participants who saw it and took no action, should reflect on their roles and their view of people. The SPÖ has also filed a parliamentary inquiry. The event had the honorary patronage of ÖVP state councillor Christian Gantner.
The ÖVP also criticised the scene. State councillor Martina Rüscher said a woman’s dignity must never become a target for supposed entertainment, adding that the portrayal crossed a clear line and that she stood in solidarity with Rendi-Wagner.
NEOS called on Kennelbach’s mayor to explain the images, saying he had approved them for the newsletter. Party women’s spokesperson Katharina Fuchs said dismissing the scene as a joke would trivialise an attitude towards women that creates fertile ground for violence against them.