Vienna International Community - Top Politicians - Latest Headlines

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

Supervisory Board of Telekom Austria Calls For Dividend Suspension

The supervisory board member Alexander Sollak claims that not dividends should be paid out for 2011. Instead, the equity base should be strengthened.

January 9, 2012

ÖVP Does Not Exclude New Taxes Anymore

Against previous statements, the head of the Austrian conservatives, Michael Spindelegger, considers to introduce new taxes.

January 9, 2012

„Not Talking Down Austerity Policy“

Bernhard Felderer, head of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS), warns daily issued ideas for new taxes. First signs of a recovery are arising.

January 7, 2012

Austria Grants Highest Subsidies in Europe

In 2010, subsidies amounting to 6.5% of the Austrian GDP were distributed. The EU-average is only the half.

January 7, 2012

„We Are at the Tipping Point“

2012 will be a crucial year for Europe and Austria, says the director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). The coming decade will be coined by debt reduction.

January 5, 2012

Austrian Economy Pushes for Austerity

In order to prevent new taxes, the Austrian Chamber of Commmerce and the Federation of Industries call for austerity measures.

January 5, 2012

Austerity Package: Business Association Warns of New Taxes

New taxes would be an “attack against the economy”, general secretary Peter Haubner says.

January 4, 2012

Sorger Asks For Investments in Education and R&D

The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Veit Sorger, calls for future investments.

January 3, 2012

Substantial Decrease in Stock Market Turnover

The Vienna Stock Exchange recorded a decline in stock market turnover by 18% in 2011. This is also due to new taxes.

January 2, 2012

Austrian Enterprises Fear Nationalization in Hungary

Nationalization plans induce fierce criticism against the Hungarian Government. The Austrian waste management industry would be hit hard.

January 2, 2012

New Chairman for Intercell’s Supervisory Board

Thomas Szucs succeeds Michael Gréco who remains on the Supervisory Board of the Austrian pharmaceutical company.

December 30, 2011

RBI Rules Out Sale of Eastern European Subsidiaries

CEO Herbert Stepic expects a very difficult year 2012 for the entire banking industry.

December 29, 2011

Industry Wants to Suspend Banking Tax

The new capital requirements for banks are criticized by the Federation of Austrian Industries and the research institute WIFO.

December 29, 2011

Critics for FMA and Central Bank

Michael Ikrath, general secretary from Austrian Sparkassen, criticizes the Financial Market Authority and the Central Bank for equity requirements imposed on domestic banks.

December 28, 2011

Bank Austria Expects Positive Results

In spite of high losses in the third quarter, the subsidiary of the Italian UniCredit forecasts slight, but positive results.

December 28, 2011

Emco With Growth Plans

The new owner of the former A-Tec subsidiary, now can begin to realize its expansion plans.

December 27, 2011

Erste Group: Capital Shortfall to be Covered by Profits

The new equity requirements will be fulfilled, Erste Group´s CEO Treichl says. The capital shortfall amounts to € 743m.

December 27, 2011

Growth Potential for Semperit

The Austrian synthetic product manufacturer already recognizes the weakening of the business cycle. However, investments will not be reduced. The BRIC countries are seen as future markets.

December 27, 2011

Austrian Government Wants to Save € 10bn

The coalition partners agreed to cut expenses by € 2.0bn per year until 2016. Details were not published.

December 27, 2011

Brain Force Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

Hannes Griesser succeeds Thomas Melzer as CFO of the Austrian software company as of 1 January.

December 23, 2011

Comeback of Al Jaber at Kneissl?

The creditors of the Austrian ski manufacturer will vote on a new restructuring plan after the takeover by a German group has failed.

December 22, 2011

Changes to the Executive Board of Hirsch Servo

Dr. Johannes Kappel will join the new two-member board of the Austrian machine manufacturer and packaging supplier.

December 22, 2011

SPÖ Wants to Defend State’s Stake in Telekom Austria

According to State Secretary Andreas Schieder, the ÖIAG should defend its shareholding of 28%.

December 22, 2011

Pecik Extends Stake in Telekom Austria

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is told to become the largest shareholder in Telekom Austria. Up to 29% are possible.

December 20, 2011

Benko Relieved from Money Laundering Accusations

Investigations against the Austrian real estate investor will end soon, German newspapers report. Benko bids for Metro´s subsidiary Kaufhof.

December 20, 2011

Felderer Expects Structural Changes

The head of the public debt committee, Bernhard Felderer says that new taxes are inevitable.

December 20, 2011

Hypo Group to Sell Interests in SEE Earlier

Due to the equity regulations, the Austrian bank prefers to sell its business in South Eastern Europe instead of the Italian and Austrian subsidiary.

December 19, 2011

Many Applicants in Emco Sale

The Austrian mechanical engineering company, which is a subsidiary of the insolvent A-Tec group, is highly sought-after. The sale price is estimated to reach € 30m.

December 19, 2011

Fekter Pushes for Further Austerity Measures

The Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter (ÖVP), announced that the planned austerity measures will not be sufficient. The coalition partner SPÖ is upset.

December 19, 2011

OeNB: Developments in the Sovereign Debt Crisis Will Be Crucial for Financial Stability

The Austrian National Bank (OeNB) presented the 22nd Financial Stability Report.

December 16, 2011

Voestalpine Streamlines Group Structure

The Austrian steel company merges its Automotive and Profilform divisions. Herbert Eibensteiner takes over as head of the new division.

December 15, 2011

Changes to the Management Board of Erste Group

The Supervisory Board of the Austrian bank took several personnel decisions that concern the holding company as well as the subsidiaries in Hungary and Romania.

December 15, 2011

S&T Aims to Achieve Turnaround in 2012

The Austrian information technology service provider wants to return to the profit zone. In 2012, turnover should reach € 220m at least.

December 14, 2011

Pecik to Enlarge Activities in Telekom

The new core shareholder of Telekom Austria, Ronny Pecik, plans to acquire further shares. He will enter the supervisory board.

December 14, 2011

AUA Sharpens Austerity Measures

The Viennese business location Austrian Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, has to become cheaper, says Lufthansa´s CEO Franz.

December 14, 2011

Marihart Becomes President of Primary Food Industry

Johann Marihart, CEO of the Austrian sugar and starch group Agrana, takes charge of PFP, the association of the primary food processing industry in 2012.

December 14, 2011

Kaufhof: Investigations Cause Delay in Sale Process

Suspicions of money laundering against the Austrian real estate investor René Benko prevent the take-over for the time being.

December 13, 2011

Debt Brake: Government Tries Again

In order to install the „debt brake“ into the constitution, the Austrian government tries again to persuade the opposition parties.

December 12, 2011

€ 230m Capital Increase at Hypo Tirol

The province of Tyrol, the owner of Hypo Tirol, decided to strengthen the bank´s capital base. From where the funds will be provided, is not clear yet.

December 12, 2011

Treichl: „9% Quota Is Adequate“

The CEO of Erste Group, Andreas Treichl, is optimistic to achieve the prescribed 9% tier 1 capital quota by mid-2012.

December 10, 2011

Mitterlehner Pushes for more Venture Capital

The Austrian Minister of Economics, Reinhold Mitterlehner wants to increase efficiency and reduce redundancies in economic subsidies.

December 10, 2011

Austria´s Industry Supports Croatia´s EU Accession

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce sees a huge interest of the domestic economy in Croatia´s EU accession. In 2010, Austria was the largest investor.

December 10, 2011

Pecik Calls For Supervisory Board Members

The new core shareholder of Telekom Austria, Ronny Pecik wants to extend his influence on the management.

December 9, 2011

Nowotny Attacks EBA

The Governor of the Austrian Central Bank (OeNB), Ewald Nowotny, criticizes the high speed which EBA requires from banks to build up equity capital.

December 9, 2011

AUA to Strengthen Presence in Austria

Austrian Airlines, the subsidiary of the German Lufthansa, refocuses on the Austrian home market. Flights to provincial airports should be extended.

December 8, 2011

Kaufhof: Benko Offering € 2bn?

The Austrian investor decisively rejected reports that suggested this acquisition price. Metro’s CEO wants to obtain € 2-3bn.

December 8, 2011

Rating Agencies Are Seen As Threat

The governor of the Austrian Central Bank, Ewald Nowotny, attacks S&P. For the head of the economic research institute IHS, Bernhard Felderer, the negative outlook must be seen as a warning signal.

December 7, 2011

„Debt Brake“: Critcism Against Opposition

After the “debt brake” has failed, the President of the Chamber of Commerce Christoph Leitl, Finance Minister Fekter and the Federal President Fischer criticize the three opposition parties.

December 6, 2011

Immofinanz-CEO Zehetner Expects Reduced Finance Costs

Due to lower interest rates and depreciations of foreign currencies in the CEE region, the Austrian real estate company will have low refinance costs, Zehenter says.

December 5, 2011

Opposition Not Convinced: „Debt Brake“ Fails

The Austrian government´s plans to introduce a “debt brake” in the constitution has failed. The three opposition parties are against the idea.

December 5, 2011