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Austrian News
Austrian News: Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian domestic politics with reference to the international interest
Bank Insolvency Act to be Finished by Summer 2012
According to the government´s plans, the Austrian financial market authority (FMA) should obtain more competences.
March 7, 2012
Bank Taxes: Nowotny Supports Government
OeNB´s governor Ewald Nowotny defends the coalition plans to raise bank taxes by 25%.
March 7, 2012
Tax Treaty: Conflict with EU
The EU rejects Austrian tax treaty plans with Switzerland. Austria insists on the bilateral agreement.
March 7, 2012
Public Debt Agency: “Unnecessary to Change Bonds Issuance Plans”
Austria sees no need to change its debt issuance program and is sticking to its plan to stay below the European Union’s deficit ceiling this year even as it injects cash into Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG (VBPS) and KA Finanz.
March 6, 2012
Banks May Face Strikes
The trade union of bank employees calls for a 4.9% salary increase. Employers reject this claim.
March 6, 2012
Taxation of Pension Funds: One-Time Effect of € 900m
In order to restructure the financially stricken VBAG, the Austrian government anticipates taxes on pension funds. As a result, € 75m will lack in future.
March 6, 2012
Fekter: "Eurogroup Chief Must Be Head of Government"
Austria’s Finance Minister Maria Fekter said the next leader of the group of euro-area finance ministers has to be a head of his or her government in order to have the necessary authority.
March 6, 2012
EU ‘Surprised’ Austria Didn’t Warn on VBAG, Almunia Says
The European Commission was “surprised” Austria didn’t warn it about plans to bail out Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG (VBPS), according to Joaquin Almunia, the region’s commissioner responsible for approving state aid.
March 5, 2012
Eder: „Environmental Policy Endangers Economy“
Voestalpine´s CEO criticizes environmental specifications made by EU and domestic politics. Eder sees the danger of a de-industrialization.
March 5, 2012
Austerity Package: Sorger Misses Reforms
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Veit Sorger, sees a massive lack in structural reforms. The austerity package is a “missed opportunity”.
March 3, 2012
Fekter: Up to € 1.0bn for Kommunalkredit
In case of a default of Greek sovereign bonds, the Austrian state would have to grant € 1.0bn to the nationalized bank Kommunalkredit.
March 3, 2012
Nabucco: Costs Could Grow Further
The pipeline consortium Nabucco checks whether the project becomes more expensive than expected. Costs of € 15bn are forecasted.
March 3, 2012
Fiscal Treaty: Austrian Economy Satisfied, Opposition Criticizes
After the signing of the EU fiscal treaty at the EU Summit today, reactions in Austria are very different. The largest opposition party FPÖ calls for a popular vote.
March 2, 2012
Austrian Economy Appreciates Serbian Approach to EU
Serbia officially became candidate for the EU-access. Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of the “European perspective” for Serbia.
March 2, 2012
Andritz: Controversial Projects in Brazil and Turkey Are Going According to Plans
The Austrian machine manufacturer Andritz participates in the construction of two major hydro power plants in Turkey and Brazil.
March 2, 2012
Austerity Package Threatens to Fail
The strict timeline of the Austrian austerity package could cause its preliminary failure. Federal President Fischer says not to have enough time to control the act.
March 2, 2012
Nowotny: „Austrian Banking Activities in CEE Better than their Reputation”
According to the governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Ewald Nowotny, Austrian banks engaged in Central and Eastern Europe are more stable than they are supposed to be.
March 1, 2012
Rise in Austrian Unemployment Rate
At the end of February, 380,000 persons were unemployed. This is a rise of 5.2%. At the EU level, Austria´s unemployment rate is still the lowest.
March 1, 2012
VBAG´s Rescue Endangers Austerity Targets
In 2012, savings should reach € 576m. However, only write-offs in VBAG cost € 700m. The Austrian government seeks for additional revenues.
February 29, 2012
Banking Industry As „Cash Cow“?
For RZB´s CEO Rothensteiner, the increase in bank tax is “not fair”. The government plans to raise bank taxes by 25%.
February 29, 2012
Public Dispute Over Privatizations
The two government parties disagree to the sale of further publicly held companies. ÖVP pushes for privatizations, for SPÖ the idea is inacceptable.
February 29, 2012
Resistance Against „Fracking“ Grows
The oil and gas group OMV plans to exploit shale gas in Northern Austria. Environmental activists claim a prohibition.
February 28, 2012
„Banks are the Real Austrian Problem“
The Austrian opposition criticizes the rescue of VBAG by the government massively. Further bank aids are feared.
February 28, 2012
New Criticism on Austerity Package
For the chief economist at RZB, Peter Brezinschek, the austerity package is not ambitious enough. The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Leitl, criticizes the introduction of new taxes.
February 28, 2012
Merger of Nabucco-TANAP Discussed
Members of the gas pipeline projects Nabucco and TANAP talk about a merger in Vienna. The Turkish Minister of Energy participates therein.
February 28, 2012
Nationalization of VBAG: Austrian State Holds 49%
After Kommunalkredit and Hypo Group, VBAG becomes the third Austrian bank which is publicly owned.
February 28, 2012
Partial Nationalization of VBAG Planned
The financially stricken Austrian bank receives new capital. The Republic of Austria makes contributions of € 1.05bn. Bank taxes will increase.
February 27, 2012
Austria: Low Attractiveness as Research Location
According to a study among European scientists, Austria loses its reputation. The most attractive destination is the U.S.
February 27, 2012
Hungary is Optimistic to Reach Agreement with IMF
The Hungarian ambassador in Vienna, Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky is convinced to solve the current financial crisis soon. Hungary aims for re-gaining trust of investors.
February 25, 2012
OeNB´s Nowotny Says Regaining AAA Credit Rating Can Take Years
European Central Bank Governing Council member Ewald Nowotny said history has shown that it can take years for a country to win back an AAA rating.
February 25, 2012
Austrian Industry: „Austerity Package Brings Excessive Rise in Labor Costs“
For the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), the austerity package causes an enormous rise in labor costs for entrepreneurs.
February 25, 2012
Austria Discussing Top Banks’ Capital Rules With EU Commission
Austria’s regulators are discussing rules for its top banks that will curb excessive lending in Central and Eastern Europe with the European Commission.
February 25, 2012
EIB: Fewer Funds for Austrian Companies
After a record in 2011, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will reduce lending to Austrian companies this year.
February 24, 2012
Fekter: „Austerity Package is Structural Reform Package“
In spite of criticism by economists, for the Austrian Minister of Finance, the austerity package is a “big success”.
February 20, 2012
Telekom Austria Faces Severe Image Difficulties
Many details over bribery payments from Telekom Austria to politically exposed persons were revealed. Now, the company sues its former executives.
February 18, 2012
Retirement Plan: „Austria is Negative Example“
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) argues that Austria would be a negative example for the sustainability of the retirement plan. Early retirements should be limited, IV claims.
February 17, 2012
Leitl Pushes for Reforms
The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce appreciates that actions worsening the Austrian business location conditions were prevented.
February 15, 2012
Youth Employment: Danger from Austerity Package
The government aims for increasing the retirement age in order to cut pension costs. Now, the director of the Austrian labor market agency (AMS) warns of a rise in youth unemployment.
February 15, 2012
Austerity Package Brings Burden of € 900m for Companies
The Austrian austerity package causes costs of € 900m for the Austrian real economy until 2016. Especially non-wage labor costs rise.
February 14, 2012
Moody's Put Austria on Warning
The Austrian “AAA” rating has been confirmed by the U.S. rating agency. However, credit-watch is put on “negative”.
February 14, 2012
Kapsch to Succeed Sorger
The Viennese industrialist Georg Kapsch (52) is said to succeed Veit Sorger (69) as President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV).
February 13, 2012
Doubt and Criticism on Austerity Package
For the director of IHS, the austerity measures do not contain real reforms. The implementation could become difficult. Administration reforms and health system reforms are too low, observers say.
February 13, 2012
Illegal Income from Switzerland Should Support Government´s Plans
The Austrian government hopes that proceeds from illegal income in Switzerland reach € 1.0bn in 2013. However, an agreement with Switzerland has not been concluded so far.
February 13, 2012
Rise in Rents Expected
The abandoned speculation term on Austrian real estate could lead to a sudden increase in rents.
February 11, 2012
ÖBB Cuts Early Retirements and Projects
The Austrian Railways (ÖBB) has to reduce costs by € 1.6bn until 2016. The major part is based on cost cuts in infrastructure projects.
February 11, 2012
Austerity Package Has Lack in Structural Reforms
The industrialists regard the Austrian austerity package even-tempered. WIFO misses structural reforms.
February 11, 2012
Austrian Government Presents € 27bn Austerity Package
The largest austerity package in Austria´s history mainly consists of cuts in expenditures. The government emphasized the socially balanced measures and the necessity due to reasons of competitiveness.
February 11, 2012
Austrian Central Bank Lets Eligibility Criteria Ease
OeNB: ECB governing council endorses expansion of eligibility criteria for nonmarketable assets.
February 10, 2012
Austrian Government Resolves Austerity Package
Speculation terms on real estate will be abolished, the tax privilege on 13th and 14th salary too. Inheritance taxes or enrollment fees will not be re-introduced.
February 9, 2012
Oettinger Expects Succesful Contracts Over Gas Deliveries
The EU-Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger, anticipates that Azerbaijan will close contracts over natural gas deliveries within the coming months.
February 8, 2012
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