Austrian News

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

Labor Time: Resistance Against SPÖ´s Plans

The governing Social-Democrats want to reduce labor time. Industrialists, the Chamber of Commerce and FPÖ decline that idea.

April 17, 2012

Austrian Industry Underlines Austerity Policy

After the rating agency Fitch retained Austria´s triple A, the Austrian industry sees a confirmation of the need for austerity. Finance Minister Fekter emphasized to push for further reforms.

April 17, 2012

Austria Supports EU Capitalization Plans for Banks

Regulators in the European Union may be allowed to impose capital surcharges on banks

April 17, 2012

OeNB: “Nationalizations Are Clean Up”

Austria’s central bank (OeNB) said that the nationalization of three of the nation’s lenders helped clean up the structure of the domestic banking industry.

April 17, 2012

Tax Deal Fiercely Criticized

Last week, Austria concluded a tax treaty with Switzerland. For experts, the deal does not solve the main problems.

April 16, 2012

Austrian Opposition Aims to Bring Back Gold Reserves

The two Austrian opposition parties FPÖ and BZÖ push the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) to disclose information about the gold reserves. OeNB refuses to do so.

April 14, 2012

Austria and Switzerland Signed Tax Treaty

Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter signed the tax treaty with her Swiss colleague Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. In 2013, additional tax intake of € 1.0bn is expected.

April 14, 2012

Fekter Nominates Koren as VBAG´s Chief Executive

Maria Fekter, the Austrian Minister of Finance said that Stephan Koren already agreed to become CEO of the partly nationalized bank VBAG.

April 14, 2012

Austria Tries to Adapt its Image

In order to attract foreign investors, Austrian companies are attempting to amend the country’s image. Instead of tourism and culture, the industrial sector and the expertise should be underlined.

April 13, 2012

Fekter to Remain as Finance Minister

This week, rumors on the replacement of the Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter occurred. Claus Raidl, who was said to replace Fekter, denies this.

April 13, 2012

Swiss-Austrian Tax Treaty to be Signed

The tax treaty between Austria and Switzerland will be signed tomorrow on Friday. The tax rate is set at 38%.

April 12, 2012

Call for Structural Reform of Social Policy

The Federation of Austrian Industries reaffirms the high non-wage labor costs and intends to raise efficiencies in the health sector. The retirement age would be too low.

April 12, 2012

Austrian Industry Underlines Importance of „South Axis“

According to a recent study, the Southern Railway (Südbahn) creates 15,000 new jobs. The value creation totals € 15.5bn.

April 12, 2012

Health Insurances Reduce Debts

Over the last three years, Austrian health insurance institutes could cut debts by € 1.0bn, which is substantially more than expected.

April 12, 2012

Psychic Diseases: Costs of € 3.3bn

The number of staff away sick in Austria rose by 100% since 1995.

April 11, 2012

Tax Treaty with Switzerland Close to be Finished

Austria aims for reach a tax agreement with Switzerland in order to tax illegal funds deposited by Austrian nationals at Swiss banks. An agreement seems to be within reach.

April 11, 2012

Nowotny Ask For Alternative to Financial Transaction Tax

The governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) sees a good sign in Austria´s low interest rate on sovereign bonds. The introduction of a European financial transaction tax is unrealistic, the governor says.

April 11, 2012

Where is Austria´s Gold?

The major part of Austria´s gold reserves should be located in the U.S. The Austrian Central Bank does not answer any questions.

April 10, 2012

Financial Transaction Tax: Schieder Raises Pressure on EU

Austria´s Financial State Secretary Andreas Schieder threatens to vote against higher EU contributions. To discuss about alternatives of the financial transaction tax is “too early.”

April 10, 2012

Failed Austerity Package: „Austrian Rating Not Affected“

Bernhard Felderer, director of IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) thinks that the incomplete austerity package has no effect on Austria´s prospects to return to the Triple-A status.

April 7, 2012

„Natural Gas to Become Most Important Energy Source“

Gerhard Roiss, CEO of the Austrian oil and gas group OMV pushes the EU to recognize the importance of natural gas.

April 7, 2012

Austria Rejects Bank Bonds of Southern Euro-Members

The Austrian Central Bank will join Germany’s Bundesbank in rejecting as collateral bank bonds guaranteed by member states receiving aid from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

April 4, 2012

Kyoto Protocol: Austria Spends € 160m

Austria will invest € 160m ($213.4 million) in climate protection projects in Europe to cover the gap it faces to meet commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, Environment Minister Niki Berlakovich said.

April 4, 2012

Austria Must Underline its Headquarter Function

Austria as hub for CEE markets is still popular. Nevertheless, there is a lack in a sustainable and flexible strategy. The geographical proximity to CEE countries is insufficient.

April 2, 2012

Euro-Group: Fekter Presses Ahead

Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the euro-group is angry at the Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter, who presented the summits´ results before Juncker´s press conference.

March 31, 2012

Economic Upswing for Austria?

The economic research institutes IHS and WIFO anticipate that the Austrian economy accelerates by summer 2012. Both warn of “too much euphoria”, however.

March 29, 2012

Swiss Tax Treaty: Austria Under Pressure

The Austrian Minister of Finance is optimistic to conclude the Swiss tax deal by 2013. Proceeds of € 1.0bn are expected.

March 28, 2012

Romania Plans Further Privatizations

Above all, a sale of the minority stake in the oil company Petrom could bring up to $ 600m. The Austrian OMV, which is the majority owner of Petrom, could be interested.

March 27, 2012

Austria Insists on Financial Transaction Tax

Despite Germany’s finance minister sees little chance of a European Union agreement on the levy, Austria is sticking to plans for a financial-transaction tax in Europe to help consolidate its budget.

March 27, 2012

Vienna Stock Exchange Calls for New Listings

Birgit Kuras, the new member of VSE´s management board aims to enhance the stock exchange´s importance and pushes for further privatizations.

March 27, 2012

EU Financial Framework Negotiations Enter the Hot Phase

State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner underlines Austria´s position as net contributor at the General Affairs Council in Brussels.

March 27, 2012

Asfinag to Cut Costs by € 2.8bn

The Austrian highway funding company wants to reduce construction costs by € 2.8bn over the next five years.

March 26, 2012

Keuschnigg: „Greece Must Leave Eurozone“

The Austrian Economist and designated director of HIS, Christian Keuschnigg advised Greece to leave the euro zone.

March 26, 2012

Koren to Become VBAG´s New CEO?

Finance Minister Maria Fekter aims to nominate the former Vice-CEO of Bawag as board director of VBAG.

March 24, 2012

Municipalities: Indebtedness Per Capita on the Rise

According to the Austrian audit court, indebtedness of municipalities was up significantly over the last years.

March 24, 2012

Bulgaria: Massive Penalty at OMV Subsidiary Threatens

Bulgaria´s Minister of Transport claims the maximum penalty for OMV´s subsidiary, which would reach up to € 1.0bn.

March 24, 2012

Rothensteiner Against Bank Insolvencies

Raiffeisen Zentralbank´s CEO Walter Rothensteiner is against the discussion about bank insolvencies.

March 24, 2012

RBI: Günther Gall Appointed Vice-Chairman of EPC

The Austrian national Günther Gall of Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RBI) was elected vice president of the European Payments Council (EPC).

March 23, 2012

Voestalpine to Invest € 500m at Main Site

The Austrian steel company builds a new strand casting house. Voestalpine warns of excessive greenhouse gas regulations.

March 22, 2012

Nowotny: “Portugal in Much Better Shape Than Greece”

The Governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB) and ECB Council Member Ewald Nowotny is optimistic on Portugal´s medium-term prospects. The country faces much less liquidity constraints than Greece.

March 21, 2012

Meeting between Saudi Monarchy and Austrian Embassy

The Austrian ambassador presented Investment opportunities to Saudia Arabia´s Prince Alwaleed.

March 20, 2012

Romanian President Again Critisized OMV´s Petrom

Romanian president Traian Basescu in television again emphasized that he cut ties with largest Romanian company OMV Petrom on ‘incorrect’, high profit-making policy.

March 20, 2012

Telekom Austria: Pecik Denies Sales Talks

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is said to have had sales talks with China Mobile. Pecik reaffirms to remain at Telekom Austria as “long-term investor”.

March 19, 2012

Austria Underlines South Tyrol´s Autonomy

Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner on working visit in South Tyrol. Austria suggests an “Alpine Strategy”.

March 19, 2012

“The Czech Republic Has Traditionally Been an Important Partner for Austria”

Austrian State Secretary Waldner meets Czech EU State Secretary Belling.

March 19, 2012

Tax Agreement with Switzerland May Be Postponed

The plans of the Austrian government to conclude a tax agreement with Switzerland soon is unlikely. For the budget, this could cause a loss of revenues.

March 17, 2012

Austrian Government Holds on Financial Transaction Tax

In spite of discordance at the EU-level, the Austrian government is convinced to impose taxes on financial transactions by 2014.

March 17, 2012

Bulgaria Suspects OMV, Lukoil, Rompetrol of Price Fixing

Bulgaria’s antitrust regulator said four fuel retailers including the Bulgarian units of OMV AG of Austria, OAO Lukoil , Russian oil producer, Rompetrol Rafinare SA and Petrol AD are suspected of being involved in price fixing.

March 17, 2012

Corruption: Costs of € 27bn for Austrian Economy

Experts say that corruption increases in Austria. In 2012, adverse effects of € 27bn are expected.

March 16, 2012

Doubt About Austerity Package

Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter had to defend the government´s austerity package again. Experts are in doubt about the successful implementation.

March 15, 2012