Vienna International Community - Top Politicians - Latest Headlines

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

Romania: Corlatean Questions Admittance to Schengen-Agreement

Exterior minister Corlatean shows no more interest in Romania’s joining the Schengen-zone. Several member states disapprove of this idea.

March 2, 2013

Poland: Fiscal Treaty Ratified

Poland´s President Bronislaw Komorowski has signed the EU Fiscal Pact this week.

March 1, 2013

Hungary: Matolcsy Becomes New Central Bank Governor

Prime Minister Orbán nominated the former National Economy Minister as the new governor of the MNB (National Bank of Hungary). Experts are concerned about the stability of the Forinth.

March 1, 2013

Serbia: Prime Minister Dacic Demands Separation of Kosovo

European Union and USA reject any change of boundery on the Balkan.

March 1, 2013

“Business development focus in solid Austrian ties to Qatar”

Austrian State Secretary meets the Emir of Qatar and Qatar’s Foreign Affairs State Secretary for working discussions.

March 1, 2013

UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Vienna

The UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum draws a close with the Vienna Declaration. The forum was attended by Heads of State and Global Foreign Ministers.

March 1, 2013

Austrian Budget: Pensions as Risk Factor

Until 2017, the additional burden has a size of € 1.0bn, Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter says in an interview with “Presse”.

February 28, 2013

Slovenia: Bratusek New Head of Government

Today, Slovenia´s Lower House of Parliament has elected a new Prime Minister. Janez Jansa continues to manage the government business.

February 27, 2013

Slovenia: Jansa Remains Prime Minister

Today, Slovenia´s Parliament will elect a new official head of government. However, Jansa will continue the government business.

February 27, 2013

Euro Adoption: Poland Has No Fixed Date Yet

For the time being, Poland wants to meet the Maastricht Criteria. The date for entering the Eurozone will be fixed in 2015.

February 27, 2013

Austria: Wienerberger in the Red

Results for 2012:Group revenues: € 2,356 million (+23% versus 2011). Operating EBITDA: € 246 million (+2% versus 2011). After tax loss: € 41 million.

February 26, 2013

Poland: Rostowki’s Fight for the Euro

Even though Poland’s rating outlook has been revised from “A-“ to “A” by Fitch it still has to face political reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness.

February 24, 2013

Austria: Felderer Warns of Property Taxes

The economist believes that already the discussion about property taxes is damaging the Austrian business location.

February 23, 2013

Situation in Bulgaria Remains Tense

After the resignation of the Bulgarian government, the political atmosphere is at a tipping point. The protests continue and are broadening.

February 21, 2013

Poland: Rostowski Becomes Deputy Prime Minister

Poland´s government has completed a government reshuffle. Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski was promoted to Donald Tusk´s Deputy Prime Minister.

February 21, 2013

Poland: Rostowski Wants to Cut the Interest Rates

According to Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski, the real interest rates are still too high. Rostowski wants to boost economic growth.

February 21, 2013

Vienna´s Position as CEE-Hub Is Endangered

The number of multinational companies which withdraw their sub-headquarters from Vienna is growing, experts say.

February 20, 2013

Stavros Efremidis New Executive Director of conwert

Stavros Efremidis is responsible for conwert’s operating business in Germany as Executive. Thomas Doll, Executive Director and CFO of conwert, is responsible for the operating business in Austria and CEE.

February 20, 2013

Bulgarian Government Resigns

This step came as a surprise. Before, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov rejected to step down. In April, the country will hold new elections.

February 20, 2013

Austrian Business Location Still Popular

According to a survey carried out by ABA Invest Austria, Austria ranks third in Europe.

February 19, 2013

Fekter Wants to Reduce „Ageing Costs“

Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter thinks that pension cuts are inevitable. The social democrats reject Fekter´s ideas.

February 15, 2013

European Economy: Nowotny Demonstrates Pessimism

This year, the economy of the Eurozone will shrink, the governor of Austrian National Bank says. Austria suffers from a weak domestic consumption, Nowotny explains.

February 15, 2013

“Financial transactions tax promotes fairness”

According to Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Spindelegger, the financial transactions tax is strengthening the competitiveness in Europe through targeted reforms.

February 15, 2013

“2012 was a good year for the domestic banking industry”

Ihor Sorkin, governor of the National Bank of Ukraine underlines that the performance of the Ukrainian banking industry was satisfying last year.

February 12, 2013

Slovenia Faces New Elections

The Slovenian government is under massive pressure. A government collapse is more than likely.

February 11, 2013

Despite Budget Cut: Poland Receives More Money

“This is one of the happiest days of my life.” Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

February 11, 2013

„Slovenia Will Become a Star Again“

In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper “Presse”, Slovenia´s President Borut Pahor demonstrates optimism. He admits that many Slovenians feel injustice.

February 9, 2013

Voestalpine to Announce Decision on Expansion Into North America

The Austrian steel group plans a major investment in North America. According to voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder, the decision will be announced in February.

February 9, 2013

“Not Enough Support for Growth and Competitiveness“

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries criticizes that the EU budget does not contain enough future investments.

February 9, 2013

Poland Underlines Necessity of Cohesion Funds

At the EU summit, Poland wants to secure as much cohesion payments in the next multiannual financial framework from 2014 to 2020.

February 7, 2013

Klaus Recommends to Split Eurozone

According to the outgoing Czech President, the separation of the eurozone would be cheaper than maintaining the currency union.

February 7, 2013

Voestalpine: CEO Eder Cautiously Optimistic

CEO Wolfgang Eder anticipates an economic recovery in the second half of 2013. Despite the difficult framework conditions, voestalpine´s management retains the earnings forecast.

February 7, 2013

Erdogan Met Orban in Budapest

Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has met his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban in Budapest. Orban praised the success of Turkey´s government.

February 6, 2013

Turkish Airlines Expands Massively

According to CEO Temel Kotil, Turkish Airlines has an enormous growth potential. The function of Istanbul as hub between Asia and Europe is a crucial for Turkish Airlines.

February 6, 2013

Necas Supports Turkish EU Membership

On the occasion of Prime Minister Erdogan´s visit in Prague, his Czech counterpart Necas assured to support Turkey´s candidacy.

February 6, 2013

Rothensteiner: „Bank Taxes Cause a Cut in Lending”

Walter Rothensteiner, CEO of Austrian RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank) says that bank taxes have a detrimental impact on the economic development.

February 5, 2013

Serbia Faces Political Crisis

After severe allegations against Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, the Serbian governing socialists reject to hold new elections. The coalition partner still supports Dacic.

February 4, 2013

Tusk: “First Months Will be Most Difficult”

Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk explained that the Polish economy will recover in the second quarter of 2013.

February 4, 2013

Tusk: “Poland Becomes a Full Member of the EU”

Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Poland will join the Fiscal Pact. The conservative opposition rejects this step.

February 2, 2013

Schwarzenegger Calls for a “Sexy, Hip” Approach at the Vienna R20 Conference

Arnold Schwarzenegger called for an end to “doom and gloom” environmentalism and more of a “sexy, hip” approach at the Vienna R20 Conference.

February 1, 2013

Fekter: "Our measures are having an effect"

Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter pleased regarding preliminary administrative budget deficit.

February 1, 2013

Poland: Opposition Criticizes Government´s Economic Policy Sharply

Opposition leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski says that the government does not fight against the economic slowdown.

January 31, 2013

Nowotny Underlines Improving Outlook

Ewald Nowotny, governor of Austrian National Bank (OeNB) stresses that not many countries were upgraded by the rating agencies in the last years.

January 30, 2013 · Updated: January 30, 2013; 18:34

„Whatever Happens to the Euro, Happens to Our Currency“

In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper “Kurier”, Latvia´s Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis explains why Latvia joins the Eurozone. However, the Latvians are not convinced at all.

January 30, 2013

“Operations of Austrian Banks in CESEE Region Are a Success Story“

Regarding the Austrian banking sector, governor of OeNB (Austrian Central Bank) Ewald Nowotny demonstrates cautious optimism.

January 30, 2013

Austria: Non Performing Loans on the Rise

According to RBI´s (Raiffeisen Bank International) CEO Herbert Stepic, the NPL quota has risen in Austria last year.

January 29, 2013

Peter Czapek becomes CEO of Bank Austria Real Invest

Gerhard Dreyer, 53, now responsible for Investment and Asset Management as well as Group Investments. Günter Hofbauer, 47, remains responsible for risk management and controlling.

January 29, 2013

„Our Future is Central and Eastern Europe“

Andreas Treichl, CEO of Austrian Erste Group, stresses the importance of the CESEE region and the necessity to become more efficient.

January 29, 2013

Czech Government Rejects New Elections

After Milos Zeman was elected as new President of the Czech Republic, he called for new elections. A change of government would be rather likely.

January 28, 2013

Slovenia: Jansa Rejects to Step Down

Despite the deep political and economic crisis, Slovenia´s Prime Minister Janez Jansa is clinging to power.

January 25, 2013