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Austria - European Union Political News
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian - European Union (Brussels) politics with reference to the international interest
Bank Union: Austrian Banking Industry Cautious
European Forum Alpbach: In mid-September, the EU Commission will present its plans regarding the bank union. The bank union should not be implemented too fast, the Austrian Financial Market Authority says.
September 1, 2012
Next Pension Reform Ahead
European Forum Alpbach: In 2016, the next pension reform may be necessary in Austria.
September 1, 2012
EU Budget Proposal “Excessive” for Austria
EU multiannual budget 2014 – 2020 negotiated in Cyprus: Austria underlines its position as net contributor.
August 31, 2012
Austrian Unemployment Up, but Lowest in EU
In July, the Euro area unemployment rate came at 11.3%. Austria´s youth unemployment rate is the second-lowest.
August 31, 2012
“We Must Go On with a Political Union”
On the occasion of the European Forum Alpbach 2012, Anna Diamantopoulou, Former European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs calls for a completion of the European project.
August 30, 2012
Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 2)
At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logics of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.
August 30, 2012
Faymann Against Breaking Up the Eurozone (Part 2)
At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, Austria´s Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann underlines the “advantages of the EU”. Without the euro, Austria would face a dramatic recession, he warns.
August 30, 2012
Barroso: “We Must Complete Europe” (Part 1)
At the Alpbach Economic Symposium 2012, the President of the EU-Commission José Manuel Barroso explained the “logic of integration”. In order to meet new challenges, the EU has to promote integration, Barroso says.
August 30, 2012
Spindelegger: “What We Need Is more Self-Confidence!”
At the Alpbach Forum 2012, Austria´s Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger explains that Europe suffers from a lack of confidence and self-confidence. The European people expect a message from the EU.
August 30, 2012
Spindelegger: “No United States of Europe”
The Austrian Vice-Chancellor wants to promote a political union in Europe. However, this system should not be the same like in the U.S.
August 30, 2012
Serbians Push Government for Reforms
The support for an EU membership has fallen below 50%. However, more Serbians call for economic and social reforms.
August 27, 2012
Austrian Guarantees Total € 80bn
In the worst case, Austria´s public debt quota may increase up to 100%, the Austrian opposition warns.
August 27, 2012
Kapsch Sees Austria´s Main Problem in Education Sector
In the last years, Austria fell behind in all competitive rankings. For the President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Georg Kapsch, education is the key factor.
August 22, 2012
Exclusion from the Eurozone: Westerwelle Supports Spindelegger
The German Minister of Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle thinks that a breach of contract should lead to the exclusion from the Eurozone.
August 22, 2012
Bulgaria Installs Debt Brake
The Bulgarian Ministry of Finance prepared a new Public Finances Act. The budget deficit must not exceed 2.0% of GDP.
August 22, 2012
Austrian Work More than EU Average
According to a report of the Germany Statistical Office, Germans and Austrians tend to work more. The relevance of leisure is shrinking.
August 20, 2012
Does the Euro Collapse Now? (Part 1)
The nervousness among Europe´s leaders is growing. Not only Finland warns of a breakdown.
August 17, 2012
Austria Faces No Recession Yet
According to a flash estimate for the second quarter of 2012, the Euro area and EU27 GDP was down by 0.2%.
August 14, 2012
Serbia: Struggle for Central Bank Sharpens
After the resignation of governor Dejan Soskic, the EU warns Serbia of abolishing the independence of the Serbian Central Bank.
August 6, 2012
Telekom Austria Reconsiders Takover of „Yesss!“
The takeover of Hutchison/Orange and Telekom Austria/Yesss! becomes difficult. After the new EU requirements, Telekom Austria wants to examine the acquisition again.
August 4, 2012
Stable Retail Trade in Austria
In June 2012, the Volume of retail trade up by 0.1% in euro area was down by 0.3% in EU27.
August 3, 2012
New Unemployment Record in Eurozone
The Euro area unemployment rate came at 11.2% in June 2012. Austria leads the ranking.
July 31, 2012
Austria: Guarantees Reach Half of Public Debt
Among EU members, only Ireland has more guarantees as a percentage of GDP.
July 30, 2012
Spindelegger: “EU human rights policy has been given a voice and face”
Austria’s Foreign Minister congratulates Stavros Lambrinidis on his appointment of EU Special Representative for Human Rights.
July 30, 2012
Government Puts Kommunalkredit for Sale
The nationalized Austrian lender Kommunalkredit should be sold until 2013. Offers must be to submit to Morgan Stanley until August 16.
July 26, 2012
EU: "Growth without New Debt"
Austrian State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner at the General Affairs Council in Brussels: “Further intensive work on Europe in the next six months under Cypriot EU Presidency”
July 25, 2012
EU Commission Approves Orange Takeover
The Hong Kong-based telecommunication company Hutchison is allowed to acquire the third-largest player in Austria.
July 23, 2012
IMF: Doubt on Hungary´s Economic Data
For the IMF, the budgetary forecasts are too optimistic. The negotiations on the € 15bn loan continue.
July 23, 2012
Bank Insolvency Law: No Austrian Solo Run
Austria´s government changed its mind. There will be no national bank insolvency law. Austria will wait for a European solution instead.
July 23, 2012
Rise in Public Debt Unstopped
In the Euro area, government debt was up to 88.2% of GDP. Due to the European debt crisis, Austria´s public debt level will increase from 72.2% to 74.7% of the country´s GDP.
July 23, 2012
"Wage Cuts in Southern Europe Inevitable"
Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies thinks that a fiscal union will not work. The recession in Southern Europe will go on.
July 21, 2012
Hutchison: „Telecommunication Network Overburdened in Two Years“
Jan Trionow, CEO of Hutchison Austria, appeals on authorities to approve the takeover of the competitor Orange. The Austrian telecommunication network will face capacity problems soon.
July 21, 2012
Hutchison´s CEO: „Austria Benefits from Merger“
Hutchison Austria still holds on the acquisition of the third largest telecommunication service supplier Orange.
July 19, 2012
Austria Has Fourth Biggest Net Surplus
The EU27 current account shows a deficit € 4.1bn. € 31.1bn surplus for trade in services.
July 19, 2012
Nowotny: „Germany Has Key Function“
The governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) is against forced loans in Austria. Regarding Eurobonds, Germany as Europe´s biggest economy would have the key function.
July 18, 2012
Fischer Signs ESM and Fiscal Pact
The Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer approves the parliamentary referanda on the highly controversial ESM and Fiscal Pact. Now, only a constitutional complaint may prevent these issues.
July 17, 2012
Bulgaria Aims to Join Eurozone
Bulgaria´s Finance Minister Simeon Djankov underlines the importance of the banking supervision and the Fiscal Pact, but wants to keep the fiscal competence.
July 16, 2012
Further Increase in Austrian National Debt
Due to the European debt crisis, Austria´s public debt level will increase from 72.2% to 74.7% of the country´s GDP.
July 16, 2012
“The time has come to design the EU of the 21st century”
„Europe – Quo Vadis?“ The Austrian Foreign State Secretary Waldner opens the Forum Europe in Styria with a keynote speech.
July 16, 2012
EU – An Escape for Serbia?
The economic prospects for Serbia are gloomy. The priority of the new Serbian government is to join the European Union.
July 14, 2012
Income Grows Slower Than GDP
For years, the increase in wages and salaries is lower than the rise in company profits.
July 14, 2012
Austrian Foreign Trade Figures Flattening
After record results in 2011, the growth in Austrian foreign trade was substantially down in the first months of 2012. Austrian politics promotes exports to non-European markets like China, Brazil and the U.S.
July 12, 2012
Slovenia Remains in Recession
According to estimations, the recession in Slovenia will sharpen this year. A turnaround is expected in 2013. The banking sector is an enormous burden for the Souteastern European country.
July 12, 2012
Crossing Borders - Expectations towards Europe
From Date: Saturday, September 1, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, the Alpbach Closing Event “Crossing Borders - Expectations towards Europe” takes place.
July 12, 2012
Austrian Banks Fulfilled EBA Requirements
The European Banking Authority published today an overview report on the implementation of the capital exercise. The vast majority of the banks in the sample meet the required ratio of 9% Core Tier 1 (CT1).
July 11, 2012
Austrian Industry Urges Government to Continue Austerity Policies
The Austrian government has to perform its job in order to retain competitiveness and economic growth in future. Finance Minister Fekter is highly satisfied with the government´s economic report.
July 10, 2012
ESM Approved by Austrian Parliament
The controversial European Stability Mechanism was ratified by the Austrian National Council. The right opposition parties criticized the approval massively.
July 6, 2012
Alpbach Forum “Lobbying and Networking in the European Union”
From Saturday, August 25, 9:00 a.m. to Sunday, August 26 1:45 p.m, the Alpbach Forum will deal with lobbying and networking in the EU.
July 5, 2012
Austria Leads European Employment Rankings
Regarding regional unemployment and total unemployment, Austria ranks first. The youth unemployment rate is the second-lowest in the EU.
July 4, 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