In Vienna, a contentious dispute has revived regarding the monument to Jan III Sobieski, the Polish king who was pivotal in defeating Ottoman troops during the 1683 siege of the city. The city halted the statue project ahead of last year's municipal elections, citing fears that it could incite Islamophobic and anti-Turkish sentiments. Despite this halt, the Polish embassy and the Austrian opposition continue to advocate for the statue's completion, which has been the subject of local debate for years.

This monument has a long history dating back to 2013 when the initial plans were proposed for its erection on Kahlenberg Hill, which is historically significant in the context of Sobieski's victory. The city council had initially approved the plans five years later; however, mere months prior to the municipal elections in 2022, the project's momentum was abruptly stopped by the cultural affairs councilor, Veronica Kaup-Hasler from the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). The statue remains completed and is currently located in Poland, awaiting a decision about its installation in Vienna.

The city argued against the monument, stating that it did not wish to create an environment conducive to xenophobia or sentiments that could escalate tensions against Muslim communities or persons of Turkish descent. This situation highlights the delicate nature of public monuments and how they can reflect and influence societal attitudes towards historical events and cultural symbols, particularly in a diverse city and country like Austria, where discussions about identity and history remain deeply polarized.