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        Austria's News in English
Read the latest headlines about other developments in Vienna and Austria
          
 
    
        Austerity: „There is No Alternative“ 
      
      
The former director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies appreciates the help for Spanish banks and thinks that a Greek exit is rather unlikely.
                                  June 12, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Austrian Banks Perform Well in Eastern Europe 
      
      
The Austrian banks did not overreach themselves in Eastern Europe, the economist Bernhard Felderer says. By contrast, UniCredit, RBI and Erste Group are highly profitable.
                                  June 11, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        „We Won´t Get Any Money Back“ 
      
      
The former director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) does not think that Greece is able to pay back its debt. Nevertheless, Felderer still believes in the euro.
                                  June 9, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        The Vienna Initiative – Moving to the New Phase „Vienna Plus“ 
      
      
The Vienna Initiative’s stakeholders decided to transform the Initiative so that it plays an important role in helping with crisis prevention, while remaining available to deal with any aftershocks from the global crisis.
                                  June 8, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        „Bank Union is Still Far Away“ 
      
      
Ewald Nowotny, Governor of Austria´s Central Bank, thinks that a bank union in the Eurozone would still take some time. Erste Group´s CEO Andreas Treichl approves the idea.
                                  June 6, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        „India and China are not the Problems“ 
      
      
Voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder thinks that competitors from Turkey, Russia and Ukraine may become problematic for the European steel industry.
                                  June 5, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Keuschnigg: „Raising ESM for Italy and Spain“ 
      
      
Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) argues for raising ESM funds to € 1,000bn.
                                  June 4, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Trade Unions Wants „Just Taxation“ 
      
      
The Austrian Trade Unions warn of a strict austerity policy and pushes for growth stimulating measures.
                                  June 2, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Treichl: „Spain Needs Help“ 
      
      
The CEO of theAustrian Erste Group Andreas Treichl is in doubt whether Spain may conquer the crisis without help. Regarding Greece, Europe has to pay anyway, Treichl thinks.
                                  June 1, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        The Euro - A Big Error (Part 4) 
      
      
The common currency did not create convergence, but widened the gap between Northern and Southern Eurozone member states.
                                  May 31, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Androsch Criticizes Hypo Group Purchase 
      
      
In 2009, the Austrian state nationalized the financially stricken Hypo Group. Much time was wasted, the industrialist and Fimbag board member Hannes Androsch thinks.
                                  May 30, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        „Something Is Wrong in Austria“ 
      
      
According to the Austrian Chamber of Labor, Austrian workers have to bear the highest burden of the crisis. The contribution of great fortunes would be insufficient.
                                  May 30, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Austrian Industry: „Growth Instead of Redistribution“ 
      
      
After the Austrian Chamber of Labor claimed he Federation of Austrian Industry underlines that Austria has the highest redistribution quota among OECD members.
                                  May 30, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        The Euro - A Big Error (Part 3) 
      
      
The common currency did not create convergence, but widened the gap between Northern and Southern Eurozone member states.
                                  May 29, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        "Europe Needs Economic Growth and Budget Discipline“ 
      
      
Structural reforms are necessary to make Europe sustainably more competitive, Christoph Leitl, President of Austria´s Chamber of Commerce (WKO) says.
                                  May 26, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Fekter Emphasizes: „Eurobonds Do Not Solve Debt Problem“ 
      
      
Maria Fekter, Austria´s Minister of Finance, thinks that the idea of common bonds is no real solution, but only symptom fighting.
                                  May 26, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Nowotny: „Austria is Safe“ 
      
      
The governor of Austria´s Central Bank (OeNB) Ewald Nowotny asserts that the economic stability in Austria is substantially better than in other regions of the Eurozone.
                                  May 23, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        The Euro – A Big Error (Part 2) 
      
      
The system of the common currency has failed to work, but is still kept alive artificially. The euro brings enormous difficulties to stronger as well as weaker European economies.
                                  May 23, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Austrian Industrial Sector Pushes for Austerity 
      
      
The Federation of Austrian Industries sees still a huge potential to reduce public expenses and underlines the importance of the industrial sector.
                                  May 22, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        “Telekom Austria May Become Second AUA“ 
      
      
The head of the Austrian investor´s association (IVA) Wilhelm Rasinger fiercely criticizes Telekom Austria´s core shareholder ÖIAG.
                                  May 22, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        “Three Problems of Europe: Divergence, Indebtedness and Weak Banks” 
      
      
The new director of the Austrian IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) Christian Keuschnigg thinks that a Greek exit would have to take place suddenly.
                                  May 21, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Rothensteiner: Return to Drachma would be „Utter Chaos“ 
      
      
The CEO of the Austrian RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank) warns of a Greek exit. At the moment, there would be not contagiousness for Spain or Italy.
                                  May 21, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        The Euro – A Big Error (Part 1) 
      
      
The system of the common currency has failed to work, but is still kept alive artificially. The euro brings enormous difficulties to stronger as well as weaker European economies.
                                  May 20, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Greek Exit: € 5.0bn Costs for Austria „In the Best Case“ 
      
      
Bank Austria´s chief economist Stefan Bruckbauer warns of exorbitant costs in case of a Greek exit out of the Eurozone. A common solution would be the better alternative.
                                  May 19, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Sorger Underlines Austrian Crisis Management 
      
      
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Veit Sorger reaffirms the necessity of austerity and investments of the private sector.
                                  May 19, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Androsch Criticizes Political Inactivity 
      
      
The former Austrian Finance Minister and industrialist Hannes Androsch thinks that both austerity and growth strategies are needed and criticizes the government sharply.
                                  May 18, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Keuschnigg: „Austria Needs More Federalism“ 
      
      
The new director of IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) considers that a decentralization of the fiscal policy would bring more competition between the provinces.
                                  May 18, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Economic Indicator: Slow Recovery Expected 
      
      
The Bank Austria business indicator indicates a slight upward trend. In the second quarter, economic growth is expected to reach 0.2%.
                                  May 16, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Keuschnigg Worries About Austria´s Competitiveness 
      
      
The new director of IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) Christian Keuschnigg suggests reforming the Austrian labor market. The welfare state would be too sophisticated.
                                  May 15, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        A “Speech to Austria”? No. 
      
      
The disenchantment with politics in Austria is as big as never before. An ambitious, but meaningless speech of Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger will not change the misery.
                                  May 15, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Eder: „Not Making Mistakes of UK and USA“ 
      
      
The CEO of Austria´s largest steel producer voestalpine warns of a de-industrialization in Europe. Today, the UK and the USA would regret their decisions of the past.
                                  May 14, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Keuschnigg: „Problem Countries Must Cut Wages“ 
      
      
The designated director of the Austrian IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) thinks that a drastic wage cut in Greece, Portugal and Spain is inevitable.
                                  May 12, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        „Combining Austerity and Growth Measures“ 
      
      
The Austrian Minister of Economics and the President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce claim a European growth strategy without turning down austerity policies.
                                  May 11, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        As Recession Grips its Neighbors, Austria May Escape the Carnage 
      
      
The world’s economic focus continues to be Europe and whether its widening list of travails will once again derail the global recovery, as it did a year ago at this time.
                                  May 8, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Greece: „The Markets were too Euphoric“ 
      
      
In an interview with the Austrian newspaper “Standard”, the Austrian analyst Friedrich Mostböck thinks that the European debt crisis will remain a major challenge.
                                  May 7, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Leitl: „EU Needs Budget Consolidation and Growth Measures“ 
      
      
The President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce claims to create a European fund in order to support small and medium-sized enterprises.
                                  May 5, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        ESM: The Final Ruin of Europe 
      
      
Solidarity with financially stricken EU countries cannot justify the irrevocable loss of national sovereignty. The transfer union will only work until the financial collapse of Germany and Austria.
                                  May 2, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        RZB´s Rothensteiner: „Not Interested in VBAG“ 
      
      
Walter Rothensteiner, CEO of Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB), does not see a suitable takeover target in the partly nationalized VBAG.
                                  April 28, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Triple-A Will Not Return Soon 
      
      
The U.S. rating agency S&P dashes hopes that Austria may get back its “AAA” soon. Austrian banks may still face risks as the crisis is over yet, S&P says.
                                  April 20, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Felderer: „Women Must Have More Children” 
      
      
The director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) sees a demographic problem in Austria as well as in Europe. Migration cannot solve the problem, Felderer says.
                                  April 19, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Felderer: „Another Downgrade Less Probable“ 
      
      
The Austrian economist Bernhard Felderer thinks that the risk of another downgrade of Austrian sovereign bonds has decreased.
                                  April 18, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Mitterlehner: „AAA is still Far Away“ 
      
      
Austria´s Minister of Economics does not believe that S&P gives back the “AAA” rating soon. However, the debate about Austria´s rating is overvalued, he thinks.
                                  April 17, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Fitch Confirms “AAA” For Austria 
      
      
The U.S. rating agency Fitch Ratings has affirmed Austria's Long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings at 'AAA'. The rating Outlooks on both Long-term ratings are Stable.
                                  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 Economy on Moderate Growth Course 
      
      
Bank Austria Forecasts table growth until summer followed by chances of an upswing. Austria could achieve GDP growth of 0.8 percent in 2012 and 2 percent in 2013.
                                  April 16, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Every Second Austrian Feels Affected by Austerity Policies 
      
      
The government's austerity program causes the average amount saved to decline to € 5,085. The planned credit volume rises to € 79.800.
                                  April 16, 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                                        
    
 
    
        Good Prospects for ATX 
      
      
According to Paul Severin at Erste Asset Management, Austrian equities may face a significant upward trend.
                                  April 12, 2012                                        
    
 
    
        Telecommunication Industry Faces Declining Revenues 
      
      
Telekom Austria´s CEO Hannes Ametsreiter forecasts declining revenues and profits at the Austrian telecommunication industry. For his own company, Ametsreiter is slightly optimistic.
                                  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                                        
     
           
       
    
