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Austrian News
Austrian News: Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian domestic politics with reference to the international interest
Crucial Days for Slovenia
This week, Slovenia´s Parliament may decide on establishing a bad bank. After Prime Minister Janez Jansa warned of a national bankruptcy, the Slovenian opposition is under pressure.
September 26, 2012
Banking Package: Costs up to € 4.8bn
The Austrian Audit Court expects that the banking package will be much more expensive than it was said before. Moreover, the Audit Court criticizes the government massively. The control mechanism would be too weak.
September 26, 2012
Austria´s Finance Minister Delighted at Positive Moody's Rating
Maria Fekter: “Our Triple A confirms the reform path we have embarked upon.”
September 26, 2012
“European Union Not Endangered”
Austrian Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger defends the euro at the renowned US university Harvard and emphasises Austria’s performance on the international stage
September 26, 2012
OMV Considers Joining Tanap
The Austrian oil and gas company intends to invest up to $ 7.0bn in the Turkish-Azeri project.
September 25, 2012
Poland: Joining Eurozone After Crisis
For the governor of the National Bank of Poland Marek Belka, entering the Eurozone is conceivable as soon as the Eurozone has recovered.
September 25, 2012
Austrian Employment Growing Moderately Until 2016
The Austrian economic research institute WIFO forecasts that 173,000 new jobs will be created until 2016.
September 25, 2012
Austrian Tax Deal with Switzerland Wobbles
The citizens´ movement in Switzerland has collected enough signatures in order to hold a popular vote on the tax deal with Austria.
September 25, 2012
Austrian Experts Urge for Pension Reform
According to experts, Austrian citizens should postpone their retirement by four to five years.
September 25, 2012
Austrian Elections 2013: Stronach Confirms Candidacy
This week, the former CEO of Magna Frank Stronach will present the program of his party. The name of the party is not fixed yet.
September 25, 2012
EU Calls Bulgaria to Intensify Fight Against Corruption
The European Union recommends Bulgaria and Romania to increase their effort regarding the fight against organized crime and corruption.
September 25, 2012
“EU administration must be screened for savings potential”
Austrian State Secretary Lopatka repeats Austria’s central demands at the General Affairs Council in Brussels.
September 25, 2012
Austria: Corruption on the Rise
Corruption causes damages of € 26bn in Austria. According to a study, 11% of the Austrian interviewees felt affected by corruption.
September 24, 2012
Public Debt: New EU Members Are More Flexible
Compared to old EU member states, the new member states have more fiscal leeway to overcome the crisis.
September 24, 2012
Austrian Federal States and Municipalities Record Massive Rise in Debt
Since 2007, the debt level of Austrian federal states rose by 87%. In the same period, the Austrian Federation´s debt was up by 27%.
September 24, 2012
Macedonia to Stimulate Economic Growth
Due to the recession in the Eurozone, exports are shrinking. Next year, Macedonia will overcome the crisis, the local government says.
September 24, 2012
Austrian State Secretary meets Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Titov in Moscow
Lopatka “Relations with Moscow are rooted in solid ground in all fields and are continuously expanded”
September 24, 2012
Waiglein Becomes Director of ESM
Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter mandates Harald Waiglein as member of the board of directors.
September 22, 2012
Serbia: „EU Cannot Force Us to Recognize Kosovo´s Independence“
The Serbian Prime Minister is ready to continue talks with Kosovo at a higher political level. For the EU, a recognition of Kosovo´s indepence is the precondition for Serbia´s EU accession.
September 22, 2012
Croatian EU-Accession: Slovenia as Obstacle
Slovenia may put a veto on Croatia´s EU accession. Croatia should withdraw lawsuits against the biggest Slovenian bank NLB, Slovenia says.
September 22, 2012
Serbia Attempts to Stop Rise in Public Debt
The Serbian government aims to achieve a balanced buget in 2014. Austerity measures should be sharpened.
September 22, 2012
Latvia: Introduction of the Euro Wobbles
The majority of the Latvians are against joining the Eurozone. The Latvian government is under pressure.
September 22, 2012
Poland´s Central Bank Retains Interest Rate
The Polish Monetary Policy Council held the base rate flat. Before, an interest rate cut of 50 bps or 25 bps were discussed.
September 22, 2012
Bulgaria Aims to Join the Eurozone
Ivan Iskrov, governor of Bulgaria´s National Bank explains that entering the Eurozone would be a long-term priority for the country.
September 22, 2012
Serbia to Privatize Publicly Held Companies
In order to reduce the budget deficit, the Serbian Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic plans to sell a part of the state-owned companies.
September 22, 2012
EU: Germany Biggest Net Payer, Poland Biggest Net Recipient
In 2011, Poland received EU-aids of € 11bn. Among the new EU members, Hungary ranks second. In terms of GDP, Hungary is the biggest beneficiary.
September 21, 2012
Breuss: „We Must Feed Them All“
The Austrian economist expresses his concerns regarding the second package for Greece.
September 21, 2012
Slovenia Creates Bad Bank
The Slovenian government aims to lower risky assets of the financially stricken banking sector. A major capital increase may be necessary.
September 21, 2012
Austria Claims Financial Transaction Tax
State Secretary Lopatka presents Austria’s positions to EU Commissioner Lewandowski.
September 21, 2012
ÖIAG to be Enlarged?
Publicly held companies like Verbund or Austrian Railways should be integrated into the Austrian industrial holding group.
September 21, 2012
Austrian Share of Academics Below OECD-Average
In Austria, only 21% of the persons aged between 25 and 34 are graduated. This is massively below the OECD-average of 38%.
September 20, 2012
Austrian Industry Claims Tax Cut
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) wants a tax relief. In the coming years, the tax quota should be reduced to 38%.
September 20, 2012
Austria to Pay higher Contributions to EU
In the next financial period of the EU from 2014 to 2020, Austria´s contribution will increase substantially. Austria calls for keeping the discount system.
September 20, 2012
Westerwelle and Sikorski Want a Stronger EU
The German and the Polish Ministers of Foreign Affairs wrote a common article in The International Herald Tribune.
September 19, 2012
Serbian EU Approach Endangered
The Serbian government rejects making concessions to Kosovo. The EU accession may be damaged, however.
September 19, 2012
Austrian Budget: One Third for Pensions and Interest Spending
The Austrian Audit Court published a report on the budgetary situation today. Last year, expenses “for the past” already came at € 24bn.
September 19, 2012
European Commission Approves State Aid for VBAG
The European Commission has today approved the comprehensive restructuring plan developed by Österreichische Volksbanken-AG (VBAG) in the wake of the financial and economic crisis to restore long-term profitability.
September 19, 2012
Costs of Austrian Banking Package: € 2.36bn
Since 2008, the Austrian government has resolved rescue packages worth € 21bn. Expenses totaled € 4.169bn, revenues reached € 1.814bn.
September 19, 2012
„Turkey has a Right of being a EU Member“
On the occasion of a visit in Vienna, the Turkish Minister of Economics Zafer Caglayan complains about the “disingenuous manner” of the EU towards Turkey. In the end, only Turkey will decide on the accession.
September 19, 2012
Ukrainian Delegation Has Begun Working Visit to the U.S.
Ukrainian official delegation headed by the Governor of the National bank of Ukraine - Sergyi Arbuzov arrived to the USA to begin a four-day working visit.
September 19, 2012
Emissions of Greenhouse Gases further Decreasing
Between 1995 and 2010, the Austrian emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases were reduced considerably in many cases.
September 19, 2012
Fekter: “Spanish Banks Need € 60bn”
According to Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter, the European Union focuses on Spain. A Greek exit would be no issue anymore.
September 18, 2012
IMF-Loan: Orban Demonstrates Optimism
According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the negotiations with IMF are proceeding on schedule.
September 18, 2012
Banking Supervision: Nowotny Warns of Over-Ambition
According to the governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank), it would be dangerous to establish new institutions without a democratic legitimization.
September 18, 2012
Klaus: Czechs Against Banking Union
The Czech President notes that the Czech Republic cannot achieve anything without a recovery of the European economy. However, it would be advantageous to stay outside the Eurozone.
September 18, 2012
Latvia: Fit for the Eurozone
According to Latvia´s Central Bank, the country will fulfill the Maastricht criteria by the end of the year.
September 18, 2012
Bulgarian President Wants to Attract Austrian Investors
On the occasion with a meeting between the Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev, the Austrian President Heinz Fischer and Lower Austria´s governor Erwin Pröll, Plevneliev underlined the importance of Austrian investors for Bulgaria.
September 17, 2012
Implementation of Banking Union to be Postponed
Initially, the Commission of the EU intended to introduce the banking union in 2013. After the fierce resistance of some member states, the Commission gives up its plans for the time being.
September 17, 2012
Eder Calls for Cut in Steel Production
The CEO of the Austrian steel producer voestalpine asks the European Union to introduce a controlled reduction of the steel production. The overcapacities would cause lower prices, Eder argues.
September 17, 2012
Poland Rejects Joining Banking Union
According to Poland´s Minister of Finance, a common supervision for banks is “not interesting”.
September 17, 2012