A LEADING AUSTRIAN political party has issued a garden gnome alert after 400 of its figurines disappeared from lamp posts used in campaigning.

Placed by the Socialist Party ahead of elections in western Austria, the gnomes were hung three metres from the ground — presumably in part to prevent mass pilfering. But a party statement Monday said that 400 gnomes, valued at around €3,000, had gone missing over the weekend.

The party suspects the heists were less outright theft and more dirty electioneering, accusing the rival conservative People’s Party of being behind the disappearances. It notes that some of the gnomes have been replaced by People’s Party posters.

The People’s Party denies involvement in the gnome scandal.

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An Austrian political party had all of its garden gnomes stolen

This Irish three-year-old nominated Spiderman for the ice bucket challenge… and Spidey stepped up

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.