Austrian News

Austrian News: Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian domestic politics with reference to the international interest

Austerity Package: Czech Government Asks for Vote of Confidence

After the austerity package was disapproved by the Czech Parliament, the government resubmits the bill to the Chamber of Deputies.

September 10, 2012

Merkel and Faymann Reaffirm their Commitment to the Euro

The German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel met her Austrian counterpart Werner Faymann and Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger in Vienna. It was Merkel´s first state visit in Austria since 2006.

September 8, 2012

ÖBB to Become Privatized?

In the summer talks of Austria´s public broadcaster ORF, Vice Chancellor commented that the founder of Magna Frank Stronach should acquire ÖBB (Austrian Railways). A highly controversial debate has begun.

September 8, 2012

Hungary: Orban Rejects IMF´s Conditions

This week, a list containing IMF´s conditions for a € 15bn loan became public. However, it is not known whether the list is a counterfeit. Not at this price and not in this way.” Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

September 8, 2012

Temporary Surplus in Serbia´s Budget

Due to the VAT intake, Serbia faced a budget surplus in July. In June, Serbia recorded a massive deficit.

September 8, 2012

Czech Republic: No VAT Increase

The governing coalition failed in seeking approval by the parliament. In order to lower the budget deficit, the government intended to lift the VAT rates.

September 7, 2012

Kemler New CEO of ÖIAG

The former CEO of Hewlett Packard Austria was elected as new Chief Executive Officer of the Austrian Industrial Holding.

September 7, 2012

IMF: List of Demands against Hungary Became Public

The list contains demands of the IMF against Hungary and is the precondition for the safety loan of € 20bn. However, the list could be a counterfeit.

September 7, 2012

ÖIAG: Three Potential Candidates

The Austrian Industrial Holding needs a new chairman. Tomorrow, the decision should be published.

September 6, 2012

Hypo Group´s Capital Shortfall at € 2.2bn

Today, the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) announced its new estimation regarding the nationalized banking group. Insiders fear that Hypo Group needs even more money.

September 6, 2012

Merkel Meets Austrian Government

This Friday, Germany´s Chancellor Angela Merkel will have talks with the top of the Austrian government in Vienna.

September 4, 2012

Bad Times for Vienna Stock Exchange

Compared to August 2011, stock turnover fell by 66% last month. Turnover only reached € 2.3bn.

September 4, 2012

Czech VAT Increase to be Resolved

The Czech government wants to increase the tax intake by € 1.0bn. Economists warn of a deepening of the recession.

September 4, 2012

Slovakia: Budget Deficit Reached € 2.67bn

In August, Slovakia´s budget shortfall increased to € 2.675bn from € 2.239bn in July.

September 4, 2012

„Europe Is Stronger than Many Think”

Austria´s Federal President Heinz Fischer thinks that the exclusion of certain member states out of the Eurozone is “highly problematic”. In two or three years, the crisis in the Eurozone is managed, he believes.

September 3, 2012

Further Increase in Unemployment

At the end of August 2012, 289,000 persons were looking for a job in Austria. At the same time, employment still grows.

September 3, 2012

Slovenian Bankruptcy Would Hit Austria Particularly Hard

Prime Minister Janez Jansa announced that Slovenia may have to declare its national bankruptcy in October. Austria´s share in foreign direct investment made in Slovenia reaches about 50%.

September 3, 2012

IMF: Austria Must Prevent Spillover Effects

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded the Article IV consultation with Austria. The Austrian banking sector is “overly ambitious” in the CESEE region, IMF says.

September 3, 2012

Austrian Audit Court to Check Gold Reserves

According to rumours, only a small part of Austria´s gold reserves are located in Austria. The biggest part should be in London and Basel, Switzerland.

September 1, 2012

Bank Union: Austrian Banking Industry Cautious

European Forum Alpbach: In mid-September, the EU Commission will present its plans regarding the bank union. The bank union should not be implemented too fast, the Austrian Financial Market Authority says.

September 1, 2012

Next Pension Reform Ahead

European Forum Alpbach: In 2016, the next pension reform may be necessary in Austria.

September 1, 2012

Austrian Government and National Bank Against Return to Shillling

Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann and Governor Ewald Nowotny oppose to the idea of returning to Austria´s former currency.

September 1, 2012

Capital Shortfall at Hypo Group up to € 2.0bn

OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) will publish the capital shortfall at the end of September and emphasizes not to submit to the government´s pressure.

September 1, 2012

Poland´s Central Bank Dissatisfied with GDP Growth

In the second quarter, Poland grew by 2.4% instead of 3.0%. The Polish Central Bank does not want to postpone quantitative easing measures any longer.

September 1, 2012

FPÖ Wants Nowotny to Resign

The biggest Austrian opposition party criticizes the governor of Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sharply. FPÖ´s leader Strache blames Nowotny to violate the “no bailout” clause.

September 1, 2012

EU Budget Proposal “Excessive” for Austria

EU multiannual budget 2014 – 2020 negotiated in Cyprus: Austria underlines its position as net contributor.

August 31, 2012

Fekter: „Spain is No Bail-Out Candidate“

Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter says that only Spain´s banks may need help from the EU.

August 31, 2012

Slovenia in a Vicious Circle

Slovenia´s Prime Minister Janez Jansa warns that his country may has to announce its national bankruptcy in October.

August 31, 2012

Nowotny: Austrian Banking Sector “More Boring, but More Stable”

European Forum Alpbach: Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) thinks that banks will fight for deposits in future. In the last years, ECB had to prevent a collapse of the financial system several times.

August 31, 2012

Pribil: „ECB Must Not Become Safe Haven for Zombie Banks”

At the European Forum Alpbach, the Director of the Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) Kurt Pribil stresses the importance of a centralized banking supervision authority.

August 31, 2012

“We Must Go On with a Political Union”

On the occasion of the European Forum Alpbach 2012, Anna Diamantopoulou, Former European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs calls for a completion of the European project.

August 30, 2012

Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 2)

At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logics of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.

August 30, 2012

Debt Crisis: “Somebody Will Have to Pay”

European Forum Alpbach 2012: Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group thinks that the internationalization of the banking industry cannot be reversed. According to Treichl, the European citizens will have to pay for the crisis.

August 30, 2012

Austrian Budget Targets “Will be Met”

According to Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter, Austria´s budget deficit will be below 3.0% of GDP. “Our domestic fiscal position is very strong now”. she underlines.

August 30, 2012

Spindelegger Welcomes Russia’s WTO Accession

Austrian Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger underlines Russia´s importance for the domestic business location.

August 30, 2012

Fekter in Favour of Mechanism for Excluding Countries from Eurozone

Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter: “It will take time to implement”. Fekter wants to address countries which constantly create financial burdens for other member states.

August 30, 2012

Faymann Against Breaking Up the Eurozone (Part 2)

At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, Austria´s Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann underlines the “advantages of the EU”. Without the euro, Austria would face a dramatic recession, he warns.

August 30, 2012

Faymann Against Breaking Up the Eurozone (Part 1)

At the AlpbachE conomic Symposium 2012, Austria´s Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann underlines the “advantages of the EU”. Without the euro, Austria would face a dramatic recession, he warns.

August 30, 2012

Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 1)

At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logic of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.

August 30, 2012

Spindelegger: “What We Need Is more Self-Confidence!”

At the Alpbach Forum 2012, Austria´s Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger explains that Europe suffers from a lack of confidence and self-confidence. The European people expect a message from the EU.

August 30, 2012

Spindelegger: “No United States of Europe”

The Austrian Vice-Chancellor wants to promote a political union in Europe. However, this system should not be the same like in the U.S.

August 30, 2012

Austrian Government to Reshuffle?

In the governing ÖVP, a power struggle is going on, insiders say. Rumours are not breaking up and are highly controversial. Finance Minister Maria Fekter may be replaced by Michael Spindelegger.

August 29, 2012

Serbian Government Tries Act of Liberation

Serbia´s economy weakens, the outlook is negative. Even a bankruptcy is not excluded anymore.

August 29, 2012

Hungary to Nationalize Energy Industry

Viktor Orban´s government plans to acquire the Hungarian subsidiary of German eon.

August 29, 2012

Austrian Industry Promotes Employment of Older Workers

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) argues that the state budget may reduce pension costs by € 7.4bn if the reforms of Germany were implemented in Austria too.

August 29, 2012

Education: Vranitzky Shows Dissatisfaction with Austrian Government

The former Austrian Federal Chancellor Franz Vranitzky criticizes the Austrian government sharply. For him, the university sector is a “very bad example of inequality between the generations”.

August 29, 2012

FPÖ´s Strache Calls for Leaving Eurozone

Heinz-Christian Strache, chairman of the Austrian oppositional freedom party (FPÖ), suggests an Austrian exit.

August 29, 2012

Keuschnigg Pleads for Increasing Retirement Age

At the Alpbach Forum 2012, the Austrian economist Christian Keuschnigg explained the necessity of implementing reforms for the Austrian retirement plan.

August 29, 2012

Fekter Wants Tax Reform

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper „Presse“, Finance Minister Maria Fekter said to plan a tax reform. The entry tax rate should be lowered.

August 29, 2012

Ametsreiter Calls for Activity

On the occasion of the Alpbach Forum 2012, Telekom Austria´s CEO Hannes Ametsreiter underlined the necessity of implementing reforms in Austria.

August 29, 2012