Sponsored Content
Austrian News
Austrian News: Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian domestic politics with reference to the international interest
Austria’s Tax Revenues 7.6% Higher than in 2010
The state’s total revenue was up by 8.2%, while expenditures increased by only 1.08% in the period January to September.
November 11, 2011
Felderer: “Austria’s Triple-A at Risk”
The head of the IHS warns against a spillover of the Italian crisis and calls for a national debt brake.
November 9, 2011
Bawag Sues Linz For € 418m
The U.S.-owned bank now sues the Upper-Austrian capital. Linz has terminated a swap contract based on Swiss Francs.
November 8, 2011
Concerns About Austria´s Finance
Due to missing infrastructure projects, Austria loses € 28bn year by year. The President of the Audit Court, Josef Moser, regards the situation of Austria´s finance as dramatic.
November 7, 2011
Austria Has Third-Highest Pension Costs in Europe
Austria´s expenditures for retires reached 12.7% of ist GDP. Only France and Italy surpass Austria. Sustainability of the domestic pension system improved slightly.
November 7, 2011
Capital Increase for Energie AG
The Upper-Austrian regional energy provider will raise its capital by € 200m.
November 5, 2011
Hungary Rejects Further Bank Charges
Contrary to its initial plans, Hungary will not resolve further aid measures for domestic loan takers. The government is seeking for cooperation with concerned banks.
November 5, 2011
Federal Railways: Debt Burden € 15.2bn
The Austrian Minister of Infrastructure, Doris Bures, announced the amount of debt for Austrian Federal Railways and Asfinag.
November 5, 2011
New Speculations about Austria’s Triple-A Rating
Current rumors about a possible downgrade are unfounded, according to a ministry spokesman.
November 4, 2011
Linz Believes in Victory Over BAWAG
The capital of the province of Upper Austria filed a lawsuit against Bawag, which is held by the U.S. investment funds Cerberus.
November 2, 2011
No Nationalization of Austrian Banks
The head of the Austrian bank holding company Fimbag, Klaus Liebscher, believes that Austrian major banks do not need further capital provided by the state.
November 2, 2011
Austria Intensifies Economic Relations to Serbia
The President of the Viennese Chamber of Economics, Brigitte Jank, meets Serbian Ministers in Belgrade and sees a huge potential for Austrian companies.
November 2, 2011
Austrian Unemployment on the Rise
In spite of its low level compared to other EU-countries, the number of unemployed persons increased up to 300.000 in October.
November 1, 2011
Austrian Trade With China to Double
On the occasion of the state visit of the Chinese President Hu Jintao, the Austrian Minister of Economics stated to aim a deepening of the bilateral economic relations.
November 1, 2011
Nationalization of Banks Not Excluded Anymore
According to the Minister of Economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner, in the worst case scenario a partly nationalization of banks could take place.
October 31, 2011
Nowotny Expects Lower Growth Rates
The head of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny lowers the growth estimation for the Austrian economy.
October 31, 2011
State Visit: Hu Jintao in Austria
The Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Austria. Today the official meetings with the Austrian President Heinz Fischer and the Government will take place.
October 31, 2011
Orban Attacks Austrian Banks
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban wants to release his country from the “debt slavery” and criticizes Austria´s reactions.
October 29, 2011
„Austria´s Triple A Not in Danger“
For the Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter, the status of the domestic economy is “well prepared”.
October 29, 2011
Croatian Parliament Abolishes 6% Mobile Service Tax
The local subsidiary of Telekom Austria benefits from the abolition of the special tax which caused expenses of € 15.2m in 2010.
October 28, 2011
Emirates Wins Dispute over Air Rights
The Middle Eastern airline was allowed to offer 13 connections per week from Dubai to Vienna.
October 28, 2011
EU Calls for Opening of Labor Markets to Romanians and Bulgarians
The European Parliament wants a solution by the end of 2011 and does not see any negative effects on social welfare systems.
October 27, 2011
Majority of Austrians Opposed to EU Rescue Package
850 respondents were asked their opinion before Wednesday’s summit meeting. 71% believe that the package is disadvantageous for Austria.
October 27, 2011
Verbund´s Subsidiary APG Going Public?
The IPO of Verbund´s subsidiary Austrian Power Grid is being discussed.
October 25, 2011
„Extend Economic Ties to Georgia“
The Austrian Minister of Economics wants to cooperate closer together with Georgia, which offers export opportunities for the Austrian industry.
October 25, 2011
WIFO Claims Property Tax
Karl Aiginger, CEO of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research calls for a significant increase in taxation of real estate and fuel.
October 24, 2011
Number of Staff Ill Decreasing
In Austria, the number of staff ill decreased slightly in 2010. On average, on 12.9 days staff was away sick. Sickness is becoming a main cause for retirements.
October 22, 2011
Slovak Bank Tax Is Going to Hurt Austrian Banks
On Thursday the Slovak parliament has officially approved a bank levy. The tax is one of the measures taken by the government to strengthen the Slovak budget.
October 21, 2011
Collective Bargaining Starts in Trade Sector
After the complicated negotiations between employers and the trade union of the Austrian metal industry, the trade sector continues. 520.000 workers are concerned.
October 19, 2011
Corruption Suspicions Against Penta
The Czech-Slovak investment company, which also bid for the Austrian A-Tec, is accused to have paid bribes to the Czech Minister of Finance.
October 19, 2011
Austrian Budget: 3.2% Deficit in 2012
Today, the Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter, presented the budget for 2012. The debt quota rises further until 2015.
October 19, 2011
Solution Found: Wage Increase by 4.2%
After heated debates and strike threats, representatives of the Austrian metal industry and the trade union came to an agreement.
October 18, 2011
Metal Industry: New Bargaining Rounds
The Austrian trade union of metal workers and industry representatives could avert a strike. However, a compromise is still not found.
October 17, 2011
€ 4.0bn Capital Requirement for Austrian Banks
After the industrialist Hannes Androsch, also the Vice-President of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Wolfgang Duchatczek, sees a need to support domestic banks.
October 17, 2011
Austrian Metal Industry: Strike Threatens
After a warning strike on Friday, representatives of the metal industry and the trade union still reached no agreement. Now, a full strike threatens.
October 15, 2011
Austria Ranks Third in EU Productivity Study
The report points out structural weaknesses and suggests more effective public spending in the fields of education, research and innovation.
October 14, 2011
Slovakia Approved EFSF
After unsuccessful voting on Tuesday, Slovak lawmakers supported today the enlargement of the European Financial Stability Fund.
October 13, 2011
Innovation Indicator 2011: Austria Has Improved Markedly
In a ranking of 26 industrialized countries, Austria has risen to the eighth place. The R&D ratio has climbed to 2.8% of GDP.
October 13, 2011
Bargaining Suspended – Metal Workers Take Industrial Action
Employees of more than 140 Austrian companies went on strike after negotiators had failed to agree on wage increases.
October 13, 2011
Slovakia Against the Enlargement of the Euro Zone Bailout Fund
After six hours of heated debate Slovak lawmakers failed to approved the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF).
October 12, 2011
Chamber of Labor Claims Substantial Wage Increase
The Austrian Chamber of Labor calls for a massive rise in wages for metal workers. The union refers to increase profits of the metal industry.
October 10, 2011
€ 2.7bn Profits Due to Rededications
According to a new study by Kreutzer, Fischer & Partner, 280km2 of agricultural area were rededicated into building area from 2007-2011. Yearly profits therefrom amount to € 2.7bn.
October 10, 2011
Trainees in Vienna „Not Satisfied“
A study of the Viennese chamber of labor published, that a large number of trainees is not satisfied with their apprenticeships.
October 8, 2011
Austrian Government: Sharp Critics from Industrialists
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) attacks the government massively. For the industrialists, the new taxation plans are not acceptable.
October 8, 2011
ÖVP: Privatization of ÖBB “Unrealistic”
A privatization of the Austrian Federal Railways as suggested by Finance Minister Fekter is not an option at the moment.
October 7, 2011
Androsch „Another Three to Four Billions for Hypo Group“
The former Minister of Finance, Hannes Androsch fears a loss of Austria´s AAA-rating. “We are being observed accurately.”
October 4, 2011
Ranking: Austria Among the Most Non-Transparent Financial Centers Worldwide
Today, the Financial Secrecy Index (FSI) of the Tax Justice Network (TJN) has been published. 73 countries have been analyzed.
October 4, 2011
Mitterlehner: „Settlement of Headquarters Key Question for Austria“
The Austrian Minister of Economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner, wants to push the development of the domestic location through improving framework requirements steadily.
October 4, 2011
Dispute Over A-Tec´s Liquidation
After the Sale of the insolvent Austrian A-Tec has failed, the subsidiaries will be sold separately. Austrian politicians warn of the loss of jobs, technology and tax revenue.
October 3, 2011
Economic Crisis: Austrians Pessimistic
The majority of Austrians thinks that the economic crisis will persist and will become even worse.
October 1, 2011