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Vienna International Community - Top Politicians - Latest Headlines
Read updated news about key politicians in Vienna's international community
Porr: Capital Increase and Rise in Profits Expected
CEO of listed Austrian construction company Porr Karl-Heinz Strauss is still in favor of a capital increase in 2014 or 2015 and calls upon the government to create “projects for the future”.
October 7, 2013
Bulgaria Takes out Schuldschein Note Loan via German Banks
The Bulgarian government has decided to take out a Schuldschein note loan in the amount of € 360m through German banks, media reports claim.
October 7, 2013
Voestalpine Expects Turnaround
The European demand in steel is increasing. Austrian steel manufacturer voestalpine expects the worst of the crisis for the steel industry to be over.
October 7, 2013
Political Crisis in Slovenia to Sharpen Further
The power struggle between Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek and Ljubljana´s mayor Zoran Jankovic escalates. Jankovic is said to receive more support from his party.
October 5, 2013
Sevelda: Not the Right Time for Capital Increase
In an interview with Financial Times (FT) Karl Sevelda, CEO of RBI, states that a capital increase would be difficult at the moment due to an unfavorable economic environment.
October 4, 2013
Keuschnigg Advises Austria to be Patient
According to Keuschnigg it was not possible to increase the core capital quota of the banks to the level necessary or to reduce public debts by 120 percent in two years only.
October 4, 2013
Austria: Downsizing Models for Hypo
Currently, everything revolves around the establishing of a bad bank despite of Finance Minister Maria Fekter’s objection. However, now, after the elections, this issue needs to be resolved.
October 4, 2013
Poland Increases Funding for SMEs
According to Polish Finance Minister Rostowski, the government plans on extending a funding program for the support of small and medium sized companies in order to improve the country’s economy.
October 3, 2013
UniCredit Toying With Idea of Take-Over in Poland
Italian bank UniCredit considers to extend business at the growing Polish market by a take-over.
October 3, 2013
Moody’s Honors Austrian Banks in CESEE
Only a year ago, the rating agency downgraded Austria because of its banks’ engagement in Eastern Europe. However, the situation has changed to the better.
October 3, 2013
COO Daniel Riedl appointed CEO of BUWOG
The 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of IMMOFINANZ AG, Daniel Riedl was appointed as CEO of the subsidiary Buwog. Riedl will prepare Buwog´s IPO.
October 3, 2013
Austria: Pussyfooting around Forming Government Coalition
The Austrian People’s Party is picky in regard to choosing a coalition partner. So far the ÖVP has shown no interest in starting coalition talks with former partner SPÖ. However, there are not many options left.
October 2, 2013
Ukraine: Clashes between Police and Protesters
During a demonstration against the government in Kiev on Wednesday clashed occurred between police forces and around 400 supporters of the opposition.
October 2, 2013
Slovenia to Decide about Selling of Telekom Slovenije
The Slovenian government will decide upon the fate of Telekom Slovenije on Thursday, October 3.
October 1, 2013
Serbia’s EU Accession Talks to Start in January 2014
Talks on Serbia's EU accession to start no later than January.
October 1, 2013
Austria: Unemployment Will Not Stop Increasing
In September, the number of persons unemployed continued to increase while employment rose slightly. In total, a number of 335,661 persons were jobless which makes an increase of 13.8 percent on an annual comparison.
October 1, 2013
Slovenian Government to Approve Adjusted Budget
The Slovenian government today plans on implementing the revised budget for next year and the draft for the 2015 budget.
September 30, 2013
Austria: IV Warns Policy-Makers
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) considers the low voter’s turnout as an alarming sign.
September 30, 2013
Austrian Elections 2013: Government Punished by the Voters
The two governing parties SPÖ and ÖVP have reached their worst results ever. Nevertheless, nothing will change in Austria.
September 29, 2013
"European bank supervision sends a strong signal to financial markets"
Austrian Federal Minister of Finance Maria Fekter welcomes favourable European Parliament decision on bank supervision.
September 28, 2013
Croatia Plans on Increasing VAT by Three Percent
Croatia eyes increased intermediate VAT from 10 to 13%.
September 27, 2013
Austria: Kapsch Demands Reform Agenda From New Government
Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demands the next federal government to introduce a comprehensive reform agenda.
September 27, 2013
Croatia: Entry into Schengen Important, Not Decisive
Croatia plans to apply for accession to the Schengen passport-free area in two years.
September 27, 2013
Slovenia: PM Takes International Bailout into Consideration
For the first time the crisis-struck Eurozone member country has admitted to consider international bailout as an option for its ailing banks.
September 26, 2013
Slovenia: Controversies Over New Budget
Slovenia´s Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek links the approval to the austerity budget to a vote of confidence.
September 25, 2013
RHI: Growth Plans in Emerging Markets
Franz Struzl, CEO of producer of fused cast refractories RHI, announced that the long-term strategic corporate goals were still relevant. However, it is not clear when the targets will be reached.
September 24, 2013
Austria: SPÖ and ÖVP Hold Slight Majority of Votes
According to the latest survey, the Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) will have to face losses in the elections of the National Assembly on Sunday. However, they should be able to hold the majority.
September 24, 2013
Leitl: “Grand Coalition Did Not Fulfill Expectations“
Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO), favors a change in the governing parties as the grand coalition has not realized the necessary reforms.
September 24, 2013
RBI: Sevelda to Remain CEO unil 2017
Karl Sevelda, who was appointed new CEO of listed Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) at the beginning of June, does not regard himself as interim head of the bank.
September 23, 2013
Poland: Budget for 2014 Realistic
According to Witold Kozinski, Deputy Govenor of the National Bank of Poland (NBP), the budget plan for 2014 is “realistic” and the risk of amendmends to the budget minimal.
September 23, 2013
Slovenia in a Decisive Phase
According to Bostjan Jazbec, Govenor of the Bank of Slovenia, the coming weeks will be critical for the small Eurozone member country.
September 23, 2013
Meet U.S. Ambassador-designate to Austria Alexa Lange Wesner
"I am aware of the great honor to come in 2013 as a representative of President Obama to Austria. In that year, our two countries celebrate the 175th anniversary of diplomatic relations", says the U.S. ambassador-designate Alexa L. Wesner.
September 21, 2013
Faymann: Austria as Role Model for Investments and Employment Programs
The Austrian Chancellor calls for a fair distribution of wealth and lower taxes on wages.
September 20, 2013
Slovenia: First Budget Surplus in 2013
For the first time this year, Slovenia shows a budget surplus of € 15m. However, the deficit of the first eight months is as high as € 1.3bn, according to data by the Finance Ministry.
September 20, 2013
Slovenia: Privatization Program to Boost FDI?
The government of the financially ailing country is forced to privatize a substantial part of the publicly held companies. Prime Minister Bratusek hopes foreign direct investments to increase.
September 20, 2013
WKO: Austrian Enterprises Miss out on Potential in Turkey
According to a commercial councelor at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) in Istanbul, Austria is focused too much on Eastern Europe. Switzerland exports triple the amount to Turkey.
September 19, 2013
Romania Is Recovering According to PM
Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta presented the key issues on the new agreement with the EU Commission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to the parliament on Tuesday.
September 19, 2013
RBI: Lennkh Takes Over Divisions of Sevelda
Peter Lennkh takes over responsibility for Corporate Business within the Managing Board of RBI.
September 18, 2013
Hungary: Orban Forecasts Growth of 2 Percent
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban forecasts economic growth of 2 percent next year as the country has managed to surpass several difficulties.
September 18, 2013
Austria: ÖVP Rejects Tax Reforms by Social Democrats
Chancellor and Leader of the Social Democrats Werner Faymann is in favor of lower taxes on wages. His model includes reliefs of up to € 1,011 annually. However, coalition partner, the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) rejects the plans.
September 18, 2013
EU Commissioner Füle Encourages Albania
EU Commissioner Štefan Füle discusses Albania's path to EU with new PM
September 18, 2013
Treichl: Requirements for Banks Increased Massively
According to the CEO of Erste Group, the requirements for banks have increased by three to six times. Moreover it has become harder for banks to finance small and medium sized enterprises (SME).
September 17, 2013
Barroso: “Albania’s Future Is in The European Union”
President of the EU Commission Barroso is confident about Albania’s commitment.
September 17, 2013
Austria: Fekter Demands “More Intelligent Model“ for Hypo
Finance Minister Fekter plans on introducing a “more creative model“ than a bad bank.
September 17, 2013
Social Responsibility: Richard Branson to Participate at future.talk 2013
In line with his core message "Do good, have fun and the money will come" British entrepreneur, pioneer and self-made billionaire Sir Richard Branson will speak in Vienna on October 8, 2013 about sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship.
September 17, 2013
Gazprom to Team Up With Macedonia
Russian energy giant Gazprom is interested in cooperating with FYR Macedonia.
September 17, 2013
Leitl Recommends Parties Not to Raise Hopes
President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Leitl considers the demand of the Social Democrats and Chancellor Werner Faymann for a tax relief as soon as 2015 utopian.
September 17, 2013
EU Commission to Sanction Croatia
The EU Commission is determined to start sanction against the newest member of the European Union, Croatia.
September 16, 2013
Bank Austria Considers Establishing Franchise Banks in Austria
The streamlining of the CESEE network of Bank Austria seems to take on a very concrete form now.
September 16, 2013
Croatia, Slovenia and Italy in Favor of Closer Cooperation
Italian, Croatian and Slovenian PMs push for stronger cooperation.
September 16, 2013