Austrian News

Former President Fischer Calls for Recognition of Palestine and Criticizes Israel's Warfare

Former Austrian President Heinz Fischer's recent comments on Middle East policy and Austria's role in the world have once again caused a stir in Austrian politics and diplomacy. In conversations with several media outlets, the long-standing SPÖ politician not only called on the federal government to demonstrate its neutrality more strongly, but also urged a change of course in Middle East policy: Austria should recognize the state of Palestine, thereby causing a diplomatic scandal.

November 7, 2025

DSN Uncovers Hamas Weapons Cache in Vienna

The Directorate for State Security and Intelligence (DSN) has dealt a significant blow to a global terrorist organization with ties to Hamas as part of internationally coordinated investigations: a weapons cache was uncovered in Vienna. There is a strong suspicion that the weapons were intended for use in planned terrorist attacks in Europe against Israeli or Jewish institutions.

November 7, 2025

Austria's Intelligence Services: How HNaA and DSN Protect the Republic

Austria's intelligence services — led by the Army Intelligence Service (HNaA), the Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence (DSN), and the Defense Office (AbwA) — go about their work. On behalf of the Republic, they act as part of the state's early warning system in a complex information market.

November 4, 2025

UK Embassy in Vienna Celebrates Trafalgar Night with Dignitaries from the Austrian Ministry of Defence

The traditional Trafalgar Night Dinner at the British Embassy in Vienna was a special sign of the bond between Austria and Great Britain. The celebrations honored the legendary victory of the British Navy in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and its hero, Admiral Lord Nelson. Ambassador Lindsay Skoll and Defense Attaché Ewan Harris welcomed Austria's Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and senior representatives from the Austrian Ministry of Defense.

November 3, 2025

Tenth Anniversary of the ICMPD Migration Conference Calls for a “New International System”

The 10th Vienna Migration Conference (VMC), organized by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), took place on October 21 and 22, 2025, marking a decade of intensive dialogue on shaping international migration policy. Over 300 delegates from politics, the private sector, academia, think tanks, international organizations, and civil society gathered to discuss sustainable migration management, the recruitment of skilled workers, and the challenges of implementing EU reforms.

October 29, 2025

Stocker and Weißmann in Favor of Israel's Participation in the Song Contest

The question of Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2026 in Vienna continues to cause international controversy and political debate. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker and ORF Director General Roland Weißmann have now spoken out clearly and unequivocally in favor of Israel's participation, citing Austria's historical responsibility.

October 29, 2025

Vienna's UNO Square Becomes a Memorial: “Flower of Srebrenica” Monument Unveiled

On United Nations Day, the “Flower of Srebrenica” memorial was ceremoniously unveiled on United Nations Square in Vienna-Donaustadt. Located directly in front of the UN building, the monument is a permanent symbol of remembrance for the victims of the genocide of Bosniaks in Srebrenica in July 1995 and a warning against forgetting.

October 27, 2025

Immigration in Austria on the Rise: Vienna Has 40.9% Foreign-Born Residents, Skilled Worker Inflow Remains Slow

According to the latest brochure “Bundesländer” (Federal States) published by the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF), the number of people born abroad living in Austria has continued to rise. As of January 1, 2025, 22.7 percent of the total population, or 2.085 million people, were born abroad. In the previous year, this figure was 22.3 percent.

October 27, 2025

Van der Bellen Celebrates the “Good Compromise”, While Chancellor Stocker Calls for Courage and Resilience on National Day

On October 26, 2025, Austria celebrated its national holiday, marking two significant anniversaries: 70 years since the signing of the State Treaty and the establishment of neutrality, and 60 years since the national holiday was first observed. The celebrations, which traditionally began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Outer Castle Gate, were marked by powerful speeches by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. The Austrian Armed Forces also held an impressive parade.

October 26, 2025

German President Steinmeier Opens New German Embassy in Vienna and Calls for “Reinventing Europe”

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier concluded his three-day state visit to Austria. The focus of the visit was the official opening of the new German Embassy building in Vienna, accompanied by an urgent appeal to Europeans to reinvent the continent in the face of emerging geopolitical challenges.

October 26, 2025

Former FPÖ Politician Jenewein Becomes Press Spokesman for the German AfD

The AfD faction in the Thuringian state parliament has made a prominent and controversial personnel decision. Former Austrian FPÖ National Council member Hans-Jörg Jenewein is taking over the position of press spokesman for the faction.

October 23, 2025

Democracy in Austria: Index Shows Significant Deterioration

According to the Democracy Index presented today, the state of Austrian democracy has deteriorated significantly. In particular, there are worrying developments in the areas of fundamental rights, civil society, and the media.

October 22, 2025

Van der Bellen in the Baltic States: Strong Words for Europe's Security at the EU's External Border

The multi-day trip to the Baltic states by Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, together with Doris Schmidauer, began in Lithuania and highlighted the central role of European security and the strengthening of economic relations in the region.

October 20, 2025

Austria Pushes Ahead with Hydrogen Offensive: €275 Million for Four Key Projects

Austria is underpinning its ambition to become the “European hub for green hydrogen” with a massive investment: four key national projects are being funded with a total of €274.8 million. This was announced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

October 20, 2025

Austria's Diplomatic Offensive: Meinl-Reisinger Promotes UN Security Council Seat and New Partnerships Among Non-Aligned Countries

During her first trip to Africa following the adoption of Austria's new national Africa strategy, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger promoted a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in Kampala, Uganda. In addition to diplomacy, the talks at the summit meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement focused on harnessing Africa's enormous economic potential and strengthening cooperation in the fight against illegal migration.

October 16, 2025

Vienna Conference Focuses on Preventing Human Trafficking in Times of Crisis

Under the motto “Resilient together: Preventing human trafficking in times of crisis,” this year's Vienna Conference Against Human Trafficking brought together representatives and international experts at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna.

October 16, 2025

First Verdict in the Signa Complex Case: Two Years Imprisonment for René Benko

The founder of the insolvent real estate empire, René Benko (48), was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for fraudulent bankruptcy at the Innsbruck Regional Court. The time he has spent in custody since January will be counted towards his sentence. The verdict is not yet final.

October 16, 2025

Finance Minister Marterbauer optimistic: 2026 Budget Target of 4.2 Percent Deficit Remains in Place

Despite turbulence in local government, Austria is sticking to its budget target for 2026. At a press conference yesterday, Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) expressed optimism that the overall government deficit would be 4.2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), as agreed with the EU.

October 16, 2025

Putin Appoints Andrei Grosov as Russia's New Ambassador to Vienna

Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed 64-year-old diplomat Andrei Grosov as the new ambassador of the Russian Federation to Austria. Grosov, a career diplomat who has worked in the foreign ministries of the Soviet Union and Russia since 1983, takes up the post in Vienna at a time when he is expected to navigate difficult relations.

October 16, 2025

Hattmannsdorfer Calls for Tough EU Action Against Hungary's Special Tax

Austria's Minister of Economic Affairs is urging Brussels to take Hungary to the European Court of Justice because the special tax imposed by Budapest burdens international retail chains such as Spar and Hofer with a discriminatory levy of up to 4.5 percent of net sales.

October 12, 2025

Trial to Begin in René Benko Case Involving Non-Transparent Cash Flows and €30 Billion in Claims

Just under two years after the spectacular collapse of the Signa empire founded by René Benko, the 48-year-old investor is facing a turning point: the first criminal trial begins next Tuesday at the Innsbruck Regional Court. While the judiciary accuses him of concealing assets from creditors, the investigating authorities still consider the “big picture” of cash flows in the opaque Signa structure to be open.

October 12, 2025

EU Initiates New Proceedings Against Austria: Delays in Payment Services and Drinking Water

The European Commission has initiated two further infringement proceedings against Austria and several other Member States. The reason for this is that Vienna is lagging in the correct implementation of EU directives in the areas of payment services and drinking water.

October 12, 2025

OMV Changes Capital Market Strategy, Scales Back Investment Plans Until 2030

The partially state-owned energy company OMV is significantly adjusting its 2030 strategy and massively scaling back its planned investments. In order to increase its financial resilience in the face of ongoing economic and geopolitical volatility, the group is reducing its cumulative organic investment plans for the period from 2026 to 2030 by a total of five billion euros.

October 7, 2025

Beate Meinl-Reisinger Opens Photo Exhibition Marking 70 Years of Austria in the UN

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Austria's accession to the United Nations, Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger visited the Vienna International Centre (VIC), also known as UNO City. The visit focused on an exchange with young people and the opening of the new permanent exhibition “Austria – UN in Vienna.”

October 6, 2025

Austria's Budget Deficit One Billion Higher Than Expected

The Austrian economy faces far-reaching challenges: while the overall government budget deficit for 2025 is forecast to be one billion euros higher than originally assumed, massive bankruptcies, including that of Süba AG and the Höhrhan Group, are shaking the real estate and automotive supply industries.

October 5, 2025

Austria Focuses on “Continent of Opportunity” with National Africa Strategy

The federal government has given the green light in the Council of Ministers for the development of a comprehensive, nationwide Austrian Africa strategy. The strategy aims to raise relations with the African continent in the areas of economy, security, migration, education, and culture to a new, structured level.

October 2, 2025

Security Debate in Austria: Expert Calls Neutrality “Immoral,” Former President Counters

In view of the “dramatically deteriorating” security situation in Europe and the approaching war, evidenced by drone alerts and airspace violations in NATO territory, there is intense debate in Austria about the role of neutrality.

October 1, 2025

Russian Diplomat Expelled Following OMV Espionage Case

Just a few days after a suspected espionage case at the Austrian oil, gas, and chemical company OMV came to light, Austria has declared a Russian diplomat “persona non grata.” The high-ranking employee of the Russian Embassy in Vienna has already left the country.

September 30, 2025

Naturalizations in Austria on the Rise: Majority of New Citizens Live Abroad

The granting of Austrian citizenship increased significantly in the first half of 2025. A total of 11,665 people received a red-white-red passport, which, according to Statistics Austria, represents an increase of 5.6 percent over the previous year. What is striking about this development is that more than a third of the new citizens—exactly 4,369 people—are resident abroad.

September 29, 2025

Vienna, a Hub for Espionage since the Cold War

For several historical and geographical reasons, Vienna has a long and distinguished history as a center of espionage. During the Cold War, Vienna gained particular significance as a hotspot for espionage, but even after the end of the Cold War, this status has continued and has even intensified in recent years.

September 26, 2025

Innovation in Politics Awards 2025 Honor Europe's Best Democracy Projects

As European Capital of Democracy 2025, Vienna was the venue for a festive gala at which the Innovation in Politics Awards 2025 were presented. The awards, which have been presented annually by the Innovation in Politics Institute since 2017, honor courageous political leaders and outstanding democratic projects from across Europe.

September 25, 2025

Alternative Right in Austria: Technology, Theology, and Political Strategy

In August of this year, tech billionaire Peter Thiel, who is also known for his proximity to the new right, caused confusion by visiting the University of Innsbruck unnoticed. At the same time, the FPÖ in Austria is moving closer to the U.S. right wing. The FPÖ has a long history and has undergone a transformation to become an international pioneer of the new right.

September 25, 2025

Focus on Babler's New York Trip: Restitution and Controversy over Costs

Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Culture Andreas Babler (SPÖ) has completed a mission in New York to restitute musical manuscripts by the Viennese composer Walter Benedikt (1896–1948). In a formal ceremony, the sheet music that Benedikt had to leave behind in 1938 when he fled from the Nazis was handed over to his legal successors.

September 24, 2025

OMV in Espionage Scandal: CEO Alfred Stern Reassures, Adnoc Relationship to Remain Uncompromised

A suspected espionage case at Austria's largest energy company, OMV, has caused a stir in recent days. While the authorities are investigating a long-standing employee suspected of having supplied sensitive data to the Russian secret service, OMV CEO Alfred Stern is trying to smooth the waters. Stern emphasizes that the incident will not strain the long-standing partnership with major shareholder Adnoc from Abu Dhabi.

September 22, 2025

80th Anniversary of the UN: Diplomatic Week in New York with Austria's President

This week, New York is the center of international diplomacy, where around 150 heads of state and government are meeting for the United Nations (UN) General Debate. This year's assembly is dominated by the 80th anniversary of the UN and the urgent call for reform. Austria is represented by President Alexander Van der Bellen, Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker, and Meinl-Reisinger.

September 22, 2025

Austria's Confidence in the EU is Dwindling: A Reflection of Global Uncertainty

The mood among Austrians toward the European Union is tense. A recent survey by the Austrian Society for European Policy (ÖGfE) shows that only 61% of respondents are still in favor of remaining in the EU. This represents a significant decline compared to previous surveys and reflects the growing uncertainty among the population.

September 21, 2025

Change in Leadership at DSN: Omar Haijawi-Pirchner Steps Down Early

The Directorate for State Protection and Intelligence (DSN), Austria's leading constitutional protection authority, is facing a significant change in leadership. As the DSN announced in a press release, Director Omar Haijawi-Pirchner will step down from his position at the end of 2025 at his own request. The decision comes eleven months before the end of his term of office and is justified on “personal grounds.”

September 21, 2025

Low-Cost Airlines Retreat from Vienna: Are Higher Prices and Location Disadvantages Looming?

Vienna International Airport is facing challenges as low-cost airlines Wizz Air and Ryanair are drastically reducing their presence. Wizz Air is withdrawing all five of its stationed aircraft and abandoning Vienna completely, while Ryanair is relocating three of its jets. Both companies cite excessive costs in Austria as the reason for this move. This development has reignited the debate about Vienna as a tourist and business location.

September 18, 2025

Fugitive Wirecard Manager Marsalek Tracked Down in Moscow

After extensive international research, a consortium of journalists has tracked down fugitive Wirecard manager Jan Marsalek in Moscow. According to reports, the 45-year-old is living under a false identity and working for the Russian secret service, the FSB.

September 17, 2025

Austrian Universities in the 2025 Shanghai Ranking: Six Institutions Among the Top 500

In this year's Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), known as the Shanghai Ranking, six Austrian universities made it into the world's top 500. That is two more universities than last year.

September 16, 2025

Austria's Diplomatic Conference Focuses on Foreign Policy

Amid global crises and economic uncertainty, Austria’s Foreign Ministry is positioning itself with a clear strategic focus. The annual Ambassadors' Conference (BOKO) and the parallel Foreign Cultural Conference (AKT) in Vienna demonstrated how the Foreign Ministry, under the leadership of Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger and State Secretary Sepp Schellhorn, defends and promotes Austrian interests worldwide.

September 14, 2025

In Memoriam Hannes Tretter: Vienna Symposium “Emergency Democracy” Continues His Life’s Work

On September 24, 2025, a high-caliber panel of experts will gather in the attic of Vienna's Juridicum to commemorate the late lawyer and human rights expert Hannes Tretter and continue his life's work. The symposium “Emergency Democracy” is dedicated to the project of the same name, which was conceived in the last months of his life.

September 11, 2025

Taliban Representatives Support Austria in Deportations

A delegation from the Afghan Taliban regime has held talks with the Austrian Interior Ministry in Vienna to help identify Afghans who are scheduled for deportation. The cooperation, which the Interior Ministry describes as “necessary” for the deportation of criminals, has been sharply criticized by human rights organizations.

September 11, 2025

Austria Fails in Lawsuit Against EU Taxonomy on Nuclear Power and Gas

Austria's lawsuit against the classification of nuclear power and natural gas as sustainable energy sources has failed before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg. The court upheld the decision of the EU Commission, which had expanded the EU Taxonomy Regulation to include these forms of energy in 2022.

September 10, 2025

Austria and Slovenia: Diplomatic Efforts Following the “Peršmanhof Incident”

Relations between Austria and Slovenia, traditionally characterized by friendly cooperation, have been put to the test since a controversial police operation at Peršmanhof. The diplomatic response is currently evident on two levels: while Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon is pushing for clarification with a symbolic gesture and clear words, representatives of both regions are simultaneously deepening practical cooperation in numerous areas.

September 10, 2025

Problems in the Austrian Education System as per the OECD: High Expenditure, Low Success

A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) entitled “Education at a Glance” paints a critical picture of the Austrian education system. Despite high spending per student—US$16,604 in 2022 compared to an OECD average of US$11,843—Austria lags in key areas.

September 9, 2025

Herbert Kickl Considers Russian Gas as a Solution to the Economic Crisis

Amidst an ongoing economic crisis and rising living costs, FPÖ party leader Herbert Kickl presented his proposed solutions at the latest “summer talks.” His argument centers on a radical change of course in energy policy and far-reaching savings in the national budget.

September 9, 2025

Austrian Foreign Minister Meinl-Reisinger Meets Belarusian Opposition Leader Tsikhanouskaya

Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger welcomed Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya to Vienna for talks. The discussions focused on the current situation of civil society in Belarus and efforts to secure the release of political prisoners detained there.

September 7, 2025

Chinese Ambassador QI Mei Meets Vice Chancellor Andreas Babler

The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, QI Mei, and the Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media, and Sport, Andreas Babler, met for bilateral talks in Vienna. The aim of the meeting was to discuss bilateral relations and other topics of mutual interest.

September 7, 2025

Skepticism in Austria: Majority Rejects EU Enlargement

A recent Eurobarometer survey reveals clear opposition to EU enlargement in Austria. While a majority of EU citizens are positive about further accession candidates, there is remarkable skepticism in Austria. With only 45 percent in favor, Austrians are among the lowest in Europe.

September 3, 2025