Austrian Economic Policy News and Analysis
Read the latest headlines about policies and laws influencing the business and investment environment of Vienna and Austria
Surprise in Czech Republic: Schwarzenberg Just Slightly Behind Zeman
The first presidential election round in the Czech Republic brought a surprise. Zeman ranks first with 24%. Schwarzenberg came in second place with 23%.
January 14, 2013 · Updated: January 14, 2013; 11:22
Romania: Ponta Promises Return to Growth
Prime Minister Victor Ponta underlines the necessity of austerity measures. This year, Romania´s public debt level will increase further, though.
January 12, 2013
Austria: Public Debt Has Reached New High
At the end of 2012, Austria´s financial debt has totaled € 189.5bn. Against 2011, this is an increase of € 6.5bn.
January 12, 2013
Only Small Budget Deficit in Bulgaria
The cumulative balance remained at -0.1% of GDP. Bulgaria only records a minor deficit of BGN 31m, Raiffeisen Research reports.
January 12, 2013
Rostowski Wants Further Interest Cuts
Poland´s Minister of Finance calls NBP (Polish National Bank) to continue the expansive monetary policy
January 11, 2013
Labor Time: Austrians Rank Second in EU
Only employees in the UK record more weekly working hours. On average, the working time came at 41.8 hours per week in Austria.
January 10, 2013
Belka: “We are at the Bottom of the Crisis”
Governor of NBP (Polish National Bank) Marek Belka expects a soon economic recovery.
January 10, 2013
Klaus Meets Merkel
Czech President Vaclav Klaus wants to persuade Merkel to stop the integration process in the EU.
January 10, 2013
Moody´s: Slovak Austerity Plans Not Realistic
According to the U.S. rating agency, the deficit reduction plan may be too ambitious.
January 10, 2013
Fekter: „We Almost Overcame the Crisis“
Austria´s minister of finance stresses the stability of the euro and points out that the economic crisis could be managed.
January 10, 2013
Slovenia: Jansa Receives Support
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa receives support from his party SDS. The government crisis continues, though.
January 10, 2013
Serbia: Public External Debt Shrinks
In total, public debt grew by 1% in the third quarter of 2012. The debt-to-GDP ratio falls slightly.
January 10, 2013
Lithuania´s Financial Assets Growing Substantially
In the third quarter of 2012, the annual growth rate of Lithuania’s financial assets (6%) exceeded that of liabilities (5%).
January 10, 2013
Serbian Government Emphasizes Need of Austerity
The government in Belgrade has prepared a fiscal consolidation program. In the next years, the public debt quota is expected to decrease slightly.
January 10, 2013
Poland: Euro Introduction Still Unpopular
Polish citizens still reject giving up their national currency. The government wants to persuade the people.
January 10, 2013
Serbia to Sign Loan Agreement with Russia
Tomorrow, Serbia´s Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic will visit Moscow.
January 10, 2013
Poland: NBP Cuts Interest Rate Again
Poland´s National Bank has decided to lower the base rate for the third time in a row.
January 10, 2013
Slovenia to Cut Corporate Tax Rate
In order to improve the labor market situation, the Slovenian government has decided cut the corporate tax quota by three percentage points.
January 9, 2013
Czech Republic: Government Crisis Solved
The Czech government remains for the time being. Before, the smallest governing party seemed to leave the coalition.
January 9, 2013
Nowotny Expected to Remain for Full Term
Finance Minister Fekter thinks that Nowotny will not resign before the end of his new term.
January 9, 2013
Slovenia: Government in Crisis
After severe allegations of corruption, Slovenia´s government is under pressure.
January 9, 2013
Central Europe's Relations With the U.S.
Philip H. Gordon from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S.-Central Europe Strategy Forum, Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) in Washington, DC remarks on the issue of U.S. relations with Central- and Eastern Europe as follows.
January 9, 2013
Poverty: Romanian and Bulgarian Citizens Most Endangered
Regarding the poverty rate, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Greece and Lithuania are significantly above the EU average.
January 9, 2013
NBP Plans Further Interest Rate Cuts
Further interest cuts are likely, NBP´s governor Marek Belka told FT in an interview.
January 8, 2013
OECD Criticizes Austria´s Anti-Corruption Policy
Austria’s enforcement of foreign bribery laws far too weak, but could pick up soon says OECD.
January 8, 2013
Poland: Unemployment Rate Grows Further
At the end of December, Poland´s unemployment quota reached 13.3%.
January 8, 2013
Hungarian Opposition Optimistic to Come to Power in 2014
Hungary´s opposition leader Attila Mesterhazy seems to be convinced that Prime Minister Orban will be replaced in 2014.
January 8, 2013
Serbia: Doubts About Economic Development
Milos Bugarin, President of Serbia´s Chamber of Commerce demonstrates skepticism regarding the economic outlook issued by the government.
January 7, 2013
Rostowski Initiates Debate on Eurozone Accession
Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski wants to define a criteria catalogue for Poland in order to create the accession “safe and advantageous”.
January 7, 2013
Nowotny Remains Governor of OeNB
According to insiders, Ewald Nowotny will be re-elected as governor of Austrian National Bank (OeNB).
January 7, 2013
Austrian Government Bans Speculation
Austria´s Federal government, Austrian provinces and municipal authorities reach agreement on a speculation ban. Finance Minister Maria Fekter: “Comprehensive Package of measures to combat speculation with tax revenues.
January 7, 2013
Hungary: No Mandatory Voter Registration
The Hungarian Constitutional Court rejected the law proposed by the government.
January 5, 2013
Austrian Industry: „Cutting Non-Wage Labor Costs!“
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) suggests boosting employment by reducing non-wage labor costs.
January 5, 2013
Aiginger Praises and Criticizes Austria´s Economic Policy
Although Austria´s economic situation is relatively satisfying, there is much improvement potential, the economist Karl Aiginger says.
January 5, 2013
Serbia: Government Expects Recovery
In 2013, the Serbians will not benefit from the economic recovery, Prime Minister Ivica Dacic says.
January 5, 2013
Croatia Faces Stagnation
Last year, Croatia´s economy shrank substantially. In 2013, the country will recover, economists say.
January 5, 2013
Poland Plans Bank Taxes
The Polish government considers introducing bank taxes in order to stabilize the banking sector.
January 4, 2013
„No Tax Reform Before 2016“
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, emphasizes that the government should focus on austerity measures.
January 4, 2013
Hungary: 55,000 More People in Work
In September–November 2012, the number of employed people was 3,925 thousand, 55 thousand more than a year ago. The employment rate of both men and women improved.
January 4, 2013
Poland: Government to Focus on Family and Employment
Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the government aims to create more than 400,000 jobs this year.
January 4, 2013
EU Accession: Turkey Shows Self-Confidence
Turkey puts further pressure on Brussels. Until 2023, Turkey wants to become a EU member country.
January 4, 2013
Slovakia: Gasparovic Demonstrates Optimism
On the occasion of his traditional New Year´s speech, Slovakia´s President Ivan Gasparovic underlines that the country is able to manage the crisis.
January 3, 2013
Hungary: Dissatisfaction Grows
More than the half of the Hungarians is dissatisfied with the country´s government.
January 3, 2013
Poland: Public Debt Level Shrinks Slightly
At the end of 2012, the public debt level came at 53% of GDP. One year before, the quota stood at 53.5%.
January 3, 2013
Hungary: Public Deficit Declines
The deficit of the general government sector fell by 3.1 percentage points in the 3rd quarter of 2012.
January 3, 2013
Austrian FMA Sharpens Lending Rules for Foreign Currency Loans
The Austrian Financial Market Authority changes the rules for banks which grant foreign currency loans.
January 2, 2013
“We Must Work Until 70”
In an interview with the Austrian news magazine “Standard”, the pension expert Christopher Prinz explains that an increase of the retirement age is inevitable.
January 2, 2013
“Eurobonds Are Wrong Signal”
2013 - After crisis management it is now time to tackle issues of the future, Austria´s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.
December 31, 2012
Bulgaria: Budget Deficit Lower than Planned
Bulgaria´s budget deficit is expected to reach about 1.0% of GDP.
December 30, 2012
Poland Promotes Privatizations
This year, Poland´s revenues from privatizations total more than € 2.3bn.
December 30, 2012
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