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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