Federation of Independents

The Federation of Independents (Verband der Unabhängigen – VdU) was an Austrian political party from 1949 to 1955.

It was founded in 1949 by Herbert Kraus and Viktor Reimann in Salzburg. It 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. 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.