Archduke Otto said to renounce the throne

February 8, 1961

Archduke Otto of Austria "was reported today to have renounced his rights of succession to the Austrian throne," according to the New York Times.

The renunciation was sent in a "signed statement" to his Vienna lawyer, Dr. Ludwig Draxler.   It is not yet known if his action will allow Otto to return to Austria.  This is dependant "on whether the Government and the Parliament regard his presence as a threat to the republic."

Otto's father, Karl, was Austria's last emperor.  He reigned for two years, succeeding to the throne after the death of Franz Joseph in 1916, until the end of the first world war in November 1918, when the Austro-Hungarian monarchy collapsed.

Karl and his family went into exile.  He died of pneumonia in 1922 in Madeira.
Socialists in Austria are vehemently opposed to Otto's return.  They govern Austria in a coalition with the more conservative Peoples party.  They contend that "there is a contradiction between Otto's political views as published abroad and his assurances that he wishes to return to Austria only as a simple citizen."The Socialists have stated that Otto "has disbarred himself from Austria forever."  They point to the recent baptism of Otto's first son, Karl, who was "baptized in Bavarian with his family's imperial titles."

There are also concerns about the "successor states" to the former Austro-Hungarian empire, which include Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Poland.  There are fears that Otto's decision could create "political agitation" in these states, all now run by Communist governments, as the "Habsburgs are identified in the minds of former subject peoples with centuries of oppression."
The Socialists, despite the "concern of the successor states," view Otto's decision as a "pure internal affair" for Austria.  They are convinced that Otto believes that if he is permitted to return to Austria, the "people would ask him to take over as an Austrian 'de Gaulle.'"  

 
Last year, the Archduke gave a lecture in Hanover, Germany, where he "proposed an Austria governed by a man above parties whose hereditary titles would give the people a guarantee of an impartial rule."

Otto called this position as a "justice chancellor."

Austrian Socialists denounced Otto's statement as a "return to a medieval monarchy."  They viewed his statement as an intention to "enter the political arena" if Otto is allowed to return to Austria.