Vienna International Community - Top Politicians - Latest Headlines

Read updated news about key politicians in Vienna's international community

Hungary: Taxes to Be Raised

Shortly before the parliamentary summer recess taxes were raised by the government of Viktor Orban.

June 18, 2013

Lopatka: "EU Enlargement is a Driver for Reforms and Rule Of Law"

State Secretary Lopatka on DARUM EUROPA information tour.

June 18, 2013

Poland: Deputy Transport Minister Dismissed

Former Deputy Transport Minister alleged of corruption. Austrian construction company Alpine involved.

June 18, 2013

Bulgaria: Eight People Injured During Protests in Sofia

Thousands of Bulgarian citizens walked the streets of Bulgaria’s capital Sofia for the fourth day in a row to demonstrate for Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski’s resignation.

June 18, 2013

Protests in Bulgaria

Almost two weeks after the assumption of office of the new Bulgarian government, demonstrators have once more demanded the resignation of the predominantly socialist cabinet.

June 17, 2013

V4 Want Free Trade Zone Between EU and Japan

The Visegrad Four Group (V4), which consists of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, support the creation of a free trade zone between the European Union and Japan.

June 17, 2013

Czech Republic: Necas Steps Back

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas draws the conclusion from his corruption scandal and announced to step back.

June 17, 2013

Turkey: Protests About to Escalate

Further unrests after forceful clearing of Gezi Park.

June 17, 2013

Czech Republic In Turmoil Over Corruption Scandal

The Czech Republic’s political landscape is in turmoil due to the scandal. The investigations have begun on Thurday with country-wide raids. More and more bizarre details seem to appear.

June 14, 2013

Turkey: Erdogan Gives In

In the dispute about Gezi Park in Istanbul, which has led to weeks of protests and even violence, the Turkish government leadership now wants to give in.

June 14, 2013

Slovenia: Mercator to be Finally Sold

It is the ninth sale attempt for Slovenian trade chain Mercator today, but it could be finally sealed. Croatian corporation Agrokor is the interested party. A dozen owners will decide about the retail chain’s fate.

June 14, 2013

Turkey: Erdogan Considers Referendum

After international criticism was voiced for the use of tear gas by the Turkish police against tens of thousands of demonstrators, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of a referendum.

June 13, 2013

Gazprom Withdraws from Greek Privatization Offer

The months of courtship were in vain. The Russian enterprises Gazprom and Sintez allowed the period prescribed for the privatization of Greek gas company Depa to expire.

June 12, 2013

Half of Czech Republic’s Citizens Unsatisfied With Zeman

The Czechs are divided about the administration of President Milos Zeman.

June 12, 2013

Fekter: „Bad Bank for Hypo Not The Most Creative Solution“

The Austrian Greens affirm their demand for the establishing of a bad bank for the ailing Hypo Group and a respective bill.

June 12, 2013

Macedonia to Join South Stream Pipeline Project

Contracts will be signed next week in St. Peterburg.

June 12, 2013

Turkey: Taksim Square Forcefully Cleared

Protests expected to continue despite of severe measures.

June 12, 2013

Ukraine Leaps to Business Deregulation

One of the reform priorities for Ukraine in 2012 has become the deregulation of business activity.

June 11, 2013

Turkey: Police Force Attacks Protesters At Gezi Again

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems ready for talks with representatives of the demonstrators, who will be received by him on Wednesday. However, earlier he has demonstrated inexorable hardness.

June 11, 2013

Serracchiani: „Will Do Everything I Can“

In an interview with Austrian newspaper “Kleine Zeitung“ Debora Serracchiani, new regional president of the province Friuli in Italy announced to do everything so that Hypo Group Italy will survive.

June 11, 2013

Fekter: The North Feeds The South

Finance Minister Fekter compares the situation in Europe with the economic circumstances in Italy.

June 11, 2013

United States Will Always Keep Its Eye on the Balkans

Montenegro's Prime Minister Milo Djukanovic met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Riker.

June 10, 2013

Bulgaria: Protests Against Shale Gas Exploration

Protests will make it problematic for the new Bulgarian government to lift the moratorium on shale gas exploration.

June 10, 2013

Hypo Group: Fekter Under Pressure

Finance Minister Fekter is put under pressure by Austrian Green Party to establish a bad bank for Hypo Group.

June 10, 2013

Hungary: Fifth Amendment of Controversial Constitution Planned

The controversial Hungarian constitution is supposed to be changed for the fifth time since the EU Commission threatened the country with infringement proceedings.

June 10, 2013

Turkey: Erdogan Demands Peaceful End Of Protests

After his return from Northern Africa, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has demanded an immediate stop of protests in his country. Many Russian investors are supposed to have drawn their assets from Turkey.

June 8, 2013

Austria Pulling Back Peacekeepers from Syria-Israel Border

Austria announced to pull back its around 380 peacekeepers from the 1,000-strong UN force out of the Golan from the UNDOF mission after grave incidents occurred in Syria.

June 7, 2013

RBI: Karl Sevelda Named New CEO

Raiffeisen Bank International AG named Karl Sevelda as its new chief executive, following Herbert Stepic's recent offer to resign the post.

June 7, 2013

Turkey: More Than 4,000 Injured

Three persons have now lost their lives in the protests. 43 persons are in critical conditions. Erdogan announced to keep to the controversial project.

June 6, 2013

Serbia: No EU Accession Negotiations in 2013

Serbia will not be able to start the desired negotiations for an EU membership this year.

June 6, 2013

Slovenia: Commission’s Target to Be Achieved in September

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Gregor Virant announced that Slovenia will achieve the EU Commission’s aim for approving more budget cuts by the end of September to avoid international bailout.

June 6, 2013

Oresharski: Things Were Never So Bad in Bulgaria

One week after assuming office, Bulgaria’s new Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski announced that the social and economic situation in the country has reached an all-time low.

June 5, 2013

Austria: Liebscher as Chairman of Hypo Group’s Supervisory Board

Liebscher is to take over Ditz’ position after the meeting of bodies on June 21.

June 5, 2013

Austrian Justice Minister to Support Serbia’s Approach to EU

Austria to enhance transfer of know-how in regard to the fight against corruption.

June 5, 2013

Turkey: Protests Continue

After trade union KESK aligned with demonstrators, the government offered a chance for negotiations for the first time.

June 5, 2013

Slovenia: Ex PM Convicted in Patria Case

Former Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa was convicted of bribery on Wednesday in Ljubljana.

June 5, 2013

Hypo Group: Possible Deductions from Selling Price

The new British-Indian Owner of Hypo Group is to pay only € 32m for the time being.

June 5, 2013

Slovenia: Bailout As An Option

Prime Minister Bratusek announced her consent to introduce fiscal rule in 2015.

June 4, 2013

Hypo Group: Italian Affilate Not to be Closed

The nationalized Carinthian bank has no plans of shutting down its Italien affiliate.

June 4, 2013

Fekter: “Draft Legislation on Zukunftsvorsorge Pension Savings Scheme Will Create Certainty”

Main focus on improving the attractiveness of state-subsidised pension savings scheme and enhancing transparency for customers

June 4, 2013

Lopatka: "Visa Cooperation Reinforces Mutual Ties Between Austria and the Czech Republic"

Austrian State-Secretary on the signing of a new agreement and working meetings in Prague.

June 4, 2013

Austria: Finance Ministry Regrets Ditz’ Withdrawal

Johannes Ditz, chairman of Hypo Group’s suvervisory board, announced his withdrawal yesterday.

June 4, 2013

Turkey: Protests Claimed Life of At Least One Person

According to the medical association at least one protestor was killed in Istanbul. Despite of unequaled violence by the police protests against Prime Minister Erdogan will not break down.

June 3, 2013

Russia: Gazprom Looking for Alternative Markets

After 40 years of a surge in revenues, Russian energy giant Gazprom has to face turbulent times in Europe.

June 3, 2013

Hypo: Ditz to Resign

Chairman of Hypo Group’s supervising board Johannes Ditz might soon resign, according to media reports.

June 3, 2013

Czech Republic Not to Introduce Euro Before 2019

According to reports by the Czech media, the new government intends to apply for the Euro only in 2016.

May 31, 2013

Austria: Fekter Signed OECD’s Multilateral Assistence Agreement in Tax Matters

Fekter described the signing as a “further important step in the fight against tax evasion and tax fraud”.

May 29, 2013

Bulgaria: Parliament to Vote On Government

This morning, the Bulgarian parliament has started a session for the voting on the new government.

May 29, 2013

Rosneft to Take Over Itera

According to a newspaper report, Rosneft intends to take over Russia’s second biggest gas supplier Itera for around € 2.3bn.

May 28, 2013

Czech Republic: Russia to Offer Significant Investments in Return for Temelin Tender

Czech Prime Minister Necas emphasized on the transparency of the decision.

May 28, 2013