Austria - European Union Political News

Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian - European Union (Brussels) politics with reference to the international interest

Austria: Spindelegger Replaces Fekter

The designated cabinet members were presented to the public today. Maria Fekter will not be a cabinet member anymore.

December 13, 2013

Slovenia Pushes Forward with Privatizations

In spite of the capital shortfall of € 4.78bn of the banks in Slovenia, the bank stress test was passed by the financial institutes.

December 13, 2013

Austrian GDP per Capita Second-Highest in EU

In terms of GDP per capita, Austria is the second-richest EU country.

December 12, 2013

Hungary: Stable Outlook Yet Still Junk Status

In spite of Matolcsy, governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demanding a better rating for the country’s credibility, the major rating agencies have not raised them.

December 12, 2013

Slovenian Banks Exhibit Capital Gap of Almost € 5bn

The capital gap of Slovenian banks comes at a total of 4.78bn, according to the stress test published today.

December 12, 2013

Austria: Nowotny Reiterates Statement

Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), reiterated his view on Hypo Group.

December 11, 2013

No Major Progresses in Banking Union

Tuesday night the Finance Ministers of the European Union have gradually approached on the outstanding issues in the handling with banks threatened by bankruptcy.

December 11, 2013

Croatia: EU Introduces Excessive Deficit Procedure

In the last years, Croatia´s fiscal situation has deteriorated considerably. Not only the budget deficit remains above 3.0% of GDP, but also the public debt quota has climbed above 60% of GDP.

December 11, 2013

Slovenia Still Wants to Solve Problems on Its Own

According to head of Eurogroup Jeroen Dijsselbloem, the highly indebted country intends to get a grip on the problems of its banking sector.

December 10, 2013

Former Kazakh Embassador Facing Trial in Austria

Rachat Alijew is facing prosecution in Austria because of alleged money laundering. Moreover, a former Austrian Chancellor is suspected of spying.

December 10, 2013

EU Demands € 55bn for Banking Union

The Finance Ministers of the European Union are still negotiating about a mechanism aimed at preventing states from having to take over financial difficulties from banks, the banking union.

December 9, 2013

Austria: Tax Increases Contemplated by Government

During the coalition negotiations increases of taxes on tobacco and alcohol is currently considered by the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP).

December 9, 2013

Wifo: Austrian Economic Growth Still Sluggish

Seasonally adjusted and corrected for working day effects, GDP increased by 0.2 percent compared to the second quarter. The upturn becomes evident only in a very moderate pace.

December 9, 2013

Austria: Oppositional FPÖ Wants Return to Shilling

The largest Austrian opposition party wants to leave the Eurozone.

December 7, 2013

Austria: Slight Increase in Exports

In spite of a continuing difficult international environment domestic exports increased by 0.7 percent. According to Economy Minister Mitterlehner the Austrian exports are on a record high.

December 6, 2013

Slovenia: Bank Stress Test Results Expected Earlier

According to a source within the European Union, the test results of the asset review of Slovenian banks will be published on December 12.

December 6, 2013

Croatia Ready for Allocation of EU Funds

Croatia has been given access to 1.12 billion euros in all EU programmes.

December 6, 2013

Austria to Raise Capital of up to € 30bn

In 2014, the Austria state will raise capital in the amount of € 28bn to 30bn from international capital markets. This year around € 29bn were raised.

December 6, 2013

Moody's: ECB Rate Cut Does Little for Economic Growth

ECB rate cut to a record low 0.25% will likely do little to support economic growth, according to Moody's Analytics.

December 5, 2013

ECB: Debates about Further Measures in Monetary Policy

Today the 23 member of the European Central Bank’s Council have initiated debates about the the stance of monetary policy. The base rate, lowered to 0.25 percent last month, is expected to remain unchanged.

December 5, 2013

Bratusek: Slovenia Will Manage Bank Rescue

According to Prime Minister Bratusek, Slovenia will manage the bank rescue on its own.

December 3, 2013

Austria: Debt Quota to Increase Slightly

Because of the new EU regulations the debt quota will increase by around 2.5 percent.

December 3, 2013

Hungary: Matolcsy Demands Resignation of EU Commissioner

György Matolcsy, Governor of the Hungarian National Bank (MNB), demands a better rating for Hungary and the resignation of EU Commissioner Olli Rehn.

December 2, 2013

RBI Calls for Better SME Financing in Europe and CEE

RBI CEO Karl Sevelda calls for improvement of SME financing.

November 28, 2013

PwC: Turbulent Years for Banks

According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) the core capital of European banks need to be increased significantly.

November 28, 2013

Germany Claims Key Positions at EU Banking Regulator

The German federal government claims one key position in the European banking regulator.

November 28, 2013

EU Needs Investments for Growth

Europe will not see any substantial growth without serious investment in research and innovation.

November 28, 2013

ECB Considers Restricting Credits

The ECB takes the option of restricting banking to industrial enterprises only into consideration.

November 27, 2013

EU Financial Transaction Tax to Become a Flop?

Experts do not expect the financial transaction tax to become effective next year.

November 27, 2013

CESEE: Austrian Banks Face New Challenges

For Austrian banks, the assessment by the ECB may bring new difficulties. Non-performing loans in CESEE are said to be higher than officially known.

November 26, 2013

Dispute about NLB Reignites between Slovenia and Croatia

Damaged savers of NLB filed lawsuit against the bank at the European Court for Human Rights.

November 26, 2013

WKO: Better Framework Conditions for SMEs

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), with between 10 to 249 persons employed, are a driver of the European economy, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth. WKO calls for better framework conditions for SMEs.

November 26, 2013

ECB Does Not See Danger of Deflation

Benoit Coeure, member of ECB’s supervisory board, does not see the danger of deflation in Europe.

November 25, 2013

Wide Parts of CESEE Region Below Pre-Crisis Level

In terms of economic output, a large number of CESEE countries have not reached the level of 2008 yet. The growth outlook remains cautious.

November 25, 2013

Szczurek: EU Funds to Create Growth

Poland´s designated Minister of Finance Mateusz Szczurek explained that EU contributions will be used to support Polish GDP growth.

November 23, 2013

Slovakia Benefits Substantially from EU

In the next fiscal term from 2014 to 2020, Slovakia will receive net contributions of € 14bn. Without the EU contributions, Slovakia´s fiscal situation would be difficult.

November 23, 2013

Ukraine Leaves Path Towards EU

After the Association Agreement between the Ukraine and the European Union failed head of state Mykola Asarov stated economic reasons for the abrupt stop.

November 22, 2013

Czech Republic: CNB Facing Investigations

Czech Senator Dryml ordered the head of counter-intelligence service (BIS) Jiri Lang to initiate investigations against the Czech National Bank (CNB).

November 22, 2013

Eurozone: Nouy New Manager of ECB’s Banking Suvervision

Daniele Nouy will become the new head of the ECB’s banking supervision.

November 21, 2013

Czech National Bank Not Intending Further Forex Interventions

According to Miroslav Singer, governor of the Czech National Bank, the authority is not planning on taking further measures at the forex market to weaken the Czech Crown (CZK).

November 21, 2013

Poland: Reshufflement at Government

A major reshufflement is currently under way at the Polish government.

November 20, 2013

Buwog Aquires Portfolio in Berlin

Buwog has once more acquired apartments at the German real estate market.

November 20, 2013

Hypo Group: Investors Claim Refunds

A group of aggrieved investors in Hypo Group Alpe Adria files claims for damages. These so-called small investors provided amounts from € 30,000 to € 300,000 and feel disadvantaged compared to bigger investors.

November 20, 2013

Capital Shortfall at European Banks

According to Boston Consulting Group, European Banks still have much work to do.

November 19, 2013

Austria: High Tax Country

According to the new tax report of PrinceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the tax burden in Austria is ten percent higher than the average tax rate in the European Union and even beats Sweden.

November 19, 2013

OECD: Restructuring of Banks Required

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) calls for a fast progress in the establishing of a banking union in the Eurozone and restructuring of the banking sector to boost economic growth.

November 19, 2013

„Not Enough Bank Insolvencies“

Andrea Enria, head of the European Banking Authority (EBA), claims that the banking landscape did not change sufficiently.

November 18, 2013

Nowotny: Economic Recovery not as Strong as Expected

According to Ewald Nowotny, governor of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB), indicators point toward a slow recovery in the next quarters.

November 18, 2013

Slovenia Issues New Eurobonds

The issuance of a new bond in the amount of € 1.5bn on Friday came as surprise as Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek has annouced earlier no such measures will be made until the beginning of the new year.

November 18, 2013

Linic: No Aid from IMF Needed

According to Croatia´s Minister of Finance Slavko Linic, the country will manage the financial crisis on its own.

November 15, 2013