Austrian News

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

Austrian Environmental Minister Against Fracking

Nikolaus Berlakovich thinks that shale gas is no alternative. Fracking would be „extremely environmentally harmful“.

July 3, 2012

„Up to 70% of European Steel Capacities are Endangered“

Wolfgang Eder, CEO of Austrian voestalpine, thinks that the European steel industry faces fierce competition from the East.

July 3, 2012

Banking Supervision: Satisfaction and Criticism

Austrian Members of the European Parliament welcomed the decisions taken by the euro summit. By contrast, the opposition party FPÖ criticizes the result as „final step towards a debt union“.

July 3, 2012

Austria Simplifies Migration of Skilled Workers

A simplified migration procedure for skilled workers in shortage occupations has been in place since 16th June 2012.

July 3, 2012

Alpbach Universities of Applied Sciences Forum 2012

This year, the Alpbach Universities of Applied Sciences Forum will focus on “Lifestyles and social networks”.

July 3, 2012

„Developing Our Traditionally Good Cooperation with Canada Further“

The Austrian State Secretary Waldner meets his Canadian counterpart Diane Ablonczy.

July 3, 2012

„ECB as Only Supervisor Not Likely“

OeNB`s (Austrian Central Bank) Governor Ewald Nowotny does not think that ECB will act as only banking supervision authority.

July 2, 2012

Austria Ratifies ESM

The government parties SPÖ and ÖVP got support by the oppositional Green Party. The remaining opposition parties criticized the „loss of sovereignty“ massively.

July 2, 2012

Austrian Banks in CESEE „Too Ambitious“

For the IMF, Austria´s economy is „well situated“. The austerity package is „adequate“.

July 2, 2012

Hungary: Financial Transaction Tax to be Extended

The Hungarian government plans a growth stimulus program, which should be funded with the extension of the current financial transaction tax.

June 30, 2012

Europe 2040: Challenges and Visions

The Alpbach Perspectives 2012 will be held from Monday, August 20 to Wednesday, August 22 in the Congress Centrum Alpbach.

June 30, 2012

Support for Export-Oriented SMEs

The Austrian Ministry of Finance increased the bill guarantee facility for small and medium-sized enterprises to € 1.2bn.

June 29, 2012

Euro-Crisis Continues

According to RCB, the factional dispute between Germany and France decisive for the eurozone. An easing of the situation is not expected.

June 29, 2012

ÖIAG: No Solution in Sight

Today, the supervisory board of the Austrian Industrial Holding (ÖIAG) had a meeting. A clear strategy will not be found anyway.

June 28, 2012

WIFO Wants Unlimited Firewall

According to the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, the firewall must be big enough in order to make speculation against the euro unattractive.

June 28, 2012

Austria´s Fischer Absolved State Visit in Armenia

The Austrian President Heinz Fischer met his Armenian counterpart Serzh Sargsyan. Both heads of states agreen on deepening economic and cultural relations.

June 28, 2012

Austrian Cultural Forum New York Holds First Fund Raising Concert

New York, 28 June 2012 - The Austrian Cultural Forum in New York is holding its first fund raising concert.

June 28, 2012

Austria Connect Canada 2012

2nd Austria Connect Canada 2012 Conference: Intensive exchange of experiences and views in Toronto on Research and Development.

June 28, 2012

Spindelegger: „Austria Must Delegate Competencies“

The Austrian Vice Chancellor and chairman of ÖVP Michael Spindelegger wants the centralize the European Union.

June 27, 2012

Leitl: „Securing Austria´s Top Ranking“

WKO´s President Christoph Leitl calls for reforms. In order retain Austria´s economic position, reforms should be accelerated and taxes should be cut.

June 27, 2012

Austria Still Blocks Agreement on Taxation of Interest Income

The Commission of the European Union wishes Austria to give up its blockade against a reform of the direction on the taxation of interest income. Austria stands by its oppositional attitude.

June 27, 2012

Biopolitics International Organisation in Vienna

The Biopolitics International Organization, a partner of Vienna Economic Forum, launched an conference themed „Green Governance - Building a Society of Hope.“

June 27, 2012

EU Discusses Growth and Employment Pact

Austria´s State Secretary Waldner at the General Affairs Council in Luxembourg: „Putting and end to the negative spiral“.

June 27, 2012

Austria Appreciates Opening of Accession Negotiations

After the beginning of the accession negotiations with the EU, the Austrian government congratulates Montenegro.

June 26, 2012

Fiscal Pact More Expansive for Austria than for Germany

According to the latest calculations, small Eurozone member states would have to pay higher transfers than Germany.

June 26, 2012

Survival of the Euro Questionable

Regarding the future of the common currency, the Austrian economist Fritz Breuss is highly skeptical.

June 26, 2012

Alpbach Health Symposium 2012

Under the motto “Child and Youth Health: The Future starts today”, the Alpbach Forum starts in August 2012.

June 26, 2012

Schwarzenberg: „Czech Republic Should be Europe´s Hard Core“

The Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs thinks that the Czech Republic should be among the EU´s core nations. This would be the only useful alternative for the country, Schwarzenberg says.

June 26, 2012

Austria and South Korea Celebrate 120 Years of Bilateral Relations

Austria´s Foreign Minister Spindelegger: "Relationships between South Korea and Austria better than ever".

June 26, 2012

„The end of the Euro would mean Europe´s Explosion“

Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) reaffirms that Europe needs the Euro.

June 25, 2012

Treichl: „Europe Does Not Need the Euro“

Andreas Treichl, CEO of Austrian Erste Group thinks that the European Union would work very well without the common currency. A common army would be more important.

June 25, 2012

„ÖIAG Should Manage Banking Interests“

Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter wants to upgrade the Austrian state holding ÖIAG.

June 23, 2012

Nowotny: „Bank Aids Rescue Economy“

The governor of the Austrian Central Bank OeNB underlines the necessity of the bail-out of Spanish banks.

June 23, 2012

New IV´s President Dissatisfied with Political System

The corruption scandals oft he past would damage Austria´s reputation as business location, Georg Kapsch thinks.

June 23, 2012

Fekter Promotes Financial Transaction Tax

There was no agreement on a common financial transaction tax in all EU member states. Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter wants to introduce the tax in a group of countries instead.

June 23, 2012

Nabucco „Not Essential“ for EU

For the EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger, it is not important which pipeline ships natural gas to Europe.

June 22, 2012

Green Party: ESM Approval Depends on Financial Transaction Tax

The Austrian Green party will only vote for the ESM if there is a basic consent for the financial transaction tax.

June 22, 2012

Government´s Plans on Bank Insolvency Law Failed

The Austrian government initially planned to initiate a bank insolvency law in order to liquidate financially stricken banks without major difficulties. Now, the plan has failed.

June 22, 2012

Chemical Industry Warns of Investment Stop

Peter Untersperger, CEO of the fiber manufacturer Lenzing and chairman of the Austrian chemcial industry is very critical of the energy efficiency act.

June 22, 2012

Controversy About Nowotny

Ewald Nowotny, the governor Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) argued that the austerity policy in the 1930s caused the rise of the Nazi regime. A wave of indignation emerged.

June 21, 2012

FPÖ Claims Popular Vote on ESM

The biggest Austrian opposition party warns of giving up the sovereignty. Together with the smallest opposition party BZÖ, FPÖ will vote against ESM.

June 21, 2012

Fekter Declines Mercy for Greece

Austria´s Finance Minister Maria Fekter is poised for amending several points oft he Greek austerity program. This is no accomodation, Fekter emphasizes. In the future, the EU should be completely centralized, Fekter says.

June 21, 2012

Austria Pushes for Danube Strategy

Together with Germany, Slovakia and Bulgaria, Austria wants to implement a common transport strategy for the Danube.

June 21, 2012

New IV´s President: „Down With Taxes!“

Today, Georg Kapsch became the new President of the Federation of Austrian Industries. In order to create growth, taxes and regulations should be cut.

June 21, 2012

Heavy Dispute Over ÖIAG

The Austrian Minister of Finance plans to incorporate the publicly held stakes in ÖBB, Asfinag and Verbund into ÖIAG. The coalition partner SPÖ and Reinhold Mitterlehner oppose to this attempt.

June 21, 2012

Rio+20: Austria Promotes Sustainable Energy Strategy

State Secretary Waldner: „Austria’s many contributions help securing the long-term energy supply for the poorest countries“.

June 21, 2012

„Austria Is Threatened by a National Bankruptcy“

The Austrian economist Eva Pichler warns of the ESM and appeals on the Austrian Parliament not to ratify the „recue package“.

June 20, 2012

Austria Emphasizes South Tyrol´s Importance

Austria´s Foreign Minister Spindelegger: “South Tyrol is and will stay a constant factor in Austrian foreign policy”.

June 20, 2012

„ÖIAG Should Finance Start-Ups“

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) suggests using ÖIAG´s investment income for the purpose of financing start-up enterprises.

June 19, 2012

Uncertain Future for ÖIAG

After CEO Markus Beyrer announced to resign, a new debate about the future of the publicly held Austrian industrial holding emerged.

June 19, 2012