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Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest
Climate Protection Minister Presents Measures Against Plastic Flood
Climate Protection Minister Gewessler announces a three-point plan to tackle Austria's plastic waste. These measures include a deposit system, a producer's levy and a reusable quota.
September 7, 2020
WKO Secretary General: Labor Market Situation Improves, But Remains Great Challenge
The secretary general of Austria's Federal Chamber of Commerce WKO recognizes a slightly positive trend in the labor market but underlines the importance of ongoing and future economic measures.
September 7, 2020
"Massive New Debt" in 2021
Federal Minister Blümel announces massive new government borrowing for next year in order to tackle the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. He hopes to return to meeting the Maastricht criteria again in the next years.
September 7, 2020
Nehammer: Do Everything To Protect Jewish Life
Minister of the Interior Nehammer visited the synagogue on David-Herzog-Platz in Graz together and highlighted the importance of the protection and promotion of Jewish life in Austria.
September 4, 2020
Linz Mayor Luger Will Not Introduce Any Further COVID-19 Regulations
The Mayor of Linz announced that the city will not introduce any further regulations concerning the Coronavirus even though the city is now marked with the color yellow at the traffic light system. Present regulations will stay.
September 4, 2020
Berlin Will Welcome Delegation of the Austrian National Council
The German capital will be host to a meeting between several German politicians and a delegation from the Austrian National Council. The main topics comprise measures to cope with the Covid-19 crisis and EU issues.
September 4, 2020
Climate and Energy Goals: Additional Measures Will Be Needed for Austria
Austria's Ministry for Climate Protection recognizes the need for additional protective measures in order to meet the climate targets established by the European Union. An increases of investments in sustainable ideas is demanded.
September 3, 2020
Austrian "Hate in the Net" Draft Law Takes Online Platform in Responsibility
The draft law against "Hate in the Net" obliges online platforms to introduce an effective reporting procedure and to delete unlawful content immediately. The third major point is the issue of a contact person including an address.
September 3, 2020
Hungary Recognizes Sobotka for Development of Bilateral Relations
The Hungarian government has awarded Austria's President of the National Council Sobotka the Commander's Cross for his efforts to further bilateral relations between the two countries and to promote the perception of Hungary's position in the EU.
September 3, 2020
Pop-Up Cycle Paths in Vienna Stay Until November
The pop-up cycle paths in the Praterstraße, Lassallestraße and Wagramer Straße are staying until November due to their popularity. The party ÖVP is accusing the city council that the continuation is a "pure election campaign populism".
September 2, 2020
Dombrovskis in Alpbach: Economy Must Serve All People
Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Dombrovskis highlights the importance of the young generation in rebuilding the economy after Covid-19. Unemployment needs to be tackled and sustainability and digital innovation will be supported.
September 2, 2020
Free COVID-19 Tests for Employees of the Gastronomy Sector
Tourism Minister Köstinger announced that employees from gastronomy businesses, youth hotels and camping sites can be freely tested for the Coronavirus since 1 September.
September 2, 2020
Mobile Sick Notification Is Only Possible With COVID-19 Symptoms
The Austrian Health Insurance announced that the notification of sick leave via mobile is from now on only possible when the patient shows symptoms of COVID-19. All other patients need to visit the doctor in person again.
September 2, 2020
Investigations About Turkish Espionage in Austria
Following the riots of Turkish activists in Vienna, Austria's Interior Minister Nehammer set up a task force that investigates the alleged influence of the Turkish secret service. These allegations have materialized to some extent and were presented at a press conference.
September 1, 2020
A COVID-19 Vaccine Is Possibly Available in January According to Anschober
Minister Anschober announced that with the start of schools and the colder weather the fourth phase of the Corona pandemic is starting, which will last until a vaccine is found. Therefore, the next months will be very challenging also because of increase in influenza cases.
September 1, 2020
Edtstadler: Six New EU Member Countries in the Next Decade
Hungarian Minister Varga and Austria's Minister for the EU Edtstadler took part in a discussion at the European Forum Alpbach that dealt with the presence and future of the European Union. Edtstadler is optimistic that the EU will grow by six member states in the next 10 years.
September 1, 2020
New Investment Subsidy Should Encourage Businesses to Invest
In order to encourage more investments, the Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs implemented a subsidy for new investments with focus on digitalization, life science, health and sustainability. The subsidy does not have to be paid back and businesses can apply for it from now on.
September 1, 2020
Schallenberg: "The EU Has Reached a Turning Point in the Relations With Turkey"
Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg explains the current relationship between the European Union and Turkey. The recent developments in the easter Mediterranean are testing the relation once again.
September 1, 2020
Descendants of Nazi Victims Have the Right to Austrian Citizenship
From September on, it is easier for descendants of Nazi victims to apply for the Austrian citizenship. This was announced by Interior Minister Nehammer in order to "take historical responsibility for the crimes of the Nazi regime".
September 1, 2020
Metro Line U2 Is Now Going More Often to Seestadt
The Wiener Linien (Viennese Public Transport Lines) are starting to provide more U2 metros to the end station Seestadt just in time with the start of schools on September 7. From next week on, not only in the morning but also in the afternoon and evening every metro will go to the final station.
August 31, 2020
"Equal Pension Day" Shows Significant Gap for Women
Women in Vienna receive 32.6% less pension compared to men. Therefore, the risk of old-age poverty is dramatically higher for women than for men. The information is issued with reference to the Viennese "Equal Pension Day" on September 2.
August 31, 2020
Tax Reform Will Be Valid from September 1 on
According to Finance Minister Blümel, the tax reform will be valid on from September 1 and there will be a corresponding refund for salaries already taxed with retroactive effect from 1 January 2020.
August 31, 2020
Secretary of State Mayer: Salzburg Festival Has Been Successful Despite the Challenges
This year's Salzburg Festival will serve as a role model for other cultural events in the future. The organizers have successfully coped with the challenging situation Covid-19 brought upon the world and implemented a festival that was highly praised by Austrian politicians.
August 31, 2020
National Council President Sobotka Met Slovak and Czech Counterparts, Kollár and Vondráček
Austria's National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka invited his Slovak and Czech counterparts, Boris Kollár and Radek Vondráček, to discuss the cooperation between the three neighboring countries and other political issues.
August 31, 2020
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg at the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Berlin
Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg has come together with the other EU Foreign Minister to discuss current foreign affairs. The main topics were the conflict between Greece and Turkey, the current situation in Belarus, relations between the EU and Russia, and the peace process in the Middle East.
August 28, 2020
Federal Minister Nehammer: Joining Forces with Bavaria in the Fight Against Organized Crime and Trafficking
Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann and Austria's Karl Nehammer intensify cooperation in the fight against human trafficking and organized crime. The two politicians have come together for a working meeting in Vienna.
August 28, 2020
Kurz: "There is light at the end of the tunnel"
Today, Chancellor Kurz was holding a State of the Union Address and talked about the Coronavirus, special vacation for parents and a "pact against isolation". According to him, the next summer will be normal again. However, the time until then will be challenging.
August 28, 2020
Industry at Alpbach Technology Talks: Austria's Federation of Industries Demands to Start the Technology Offensive Now
The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (Industriellenvereinigung) Georg Knill used the European Forum Alpbach to underline the importance of research, technology and innovation for a wealthy future economy.
August 28, 2020
German-Speaking Finance Ministers Met in Vienna
Vienna hosted the tenth informal meeting of the German-speaking finance ministers. Representatives of Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Austria took part in discussions about Covid-19 and the future of taxes.
August 28, 2020
Iran Allows Vienna-based IAEA Access to Controversial Nuclear Facilities
Vienna-based IAEA is allowed to inspect two nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. After an ongoing dispute between the IAEA and the Iran, a joint statement settles the dispute.
August 27, 2020
Austrian Foreign Ministry Endows Special Prize for International Art
Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg announces a new prize for international artistic projects that deal with the impact of technology and digitalization on society.
August 27, 2020
Federal Minister Edtstadler Promises Action Plan Against Anti-Semitism
Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister of Austria for the EU and Constitution, introduced an action plan that will be implemented in the fall. This plan will comprise about 30 measures to fight ongoing anti-Semitism.
August 26, 2020
Van der Bellen Promoted a Common, Greener European Future at the 75th European Forum Alpbach
Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen opened the 75th European Forum Alpbach with his speech that focused on international cooperation and an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.
August 26, 2020
After Discussions in Austria: IHS and WIFO Against Statutory Reduction of Working Hours
Austrian economic research institutes IHS and WIFO are both against a reduction of working hours. According to the experts, training and retraining for the unemployed would be better approaches.
August 26, 2020
EU Standards for COVID-19 Are Demanded
EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (both ÖVP) and EU Member of Parliament Manfred Weber (CSU) are demanding EU standardised regulations in order to prevent further confusion as the regulations within the EU states are varying.
August 26, 2020
Kurz is Giving a Speech with 3 Major Topics
On Friday, Chancellor Kurz is giving a speech concerning the current situation in Austria and the planned political content of the following months. The three major topics are economy and labour, digitization and education as well as social cohesion and civil society involvement.
August 26, 2020
Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig Met German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz
Mayor Michael Ludwig and German Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz met for a working meeting in Vienna. Discussions were held about economic relations and municipal topics such as affordable housing.
August 25, 2020
Criticism of SPÖ Officials Concerning Belarus
TV appearances in the Belarus state TV of two Austrians with close boundaries to the SPÖ led to an immense wave of criticism. One claims that the news coverage in Belarus is too European friendly. The other repeats a main propaganda message from Lukashenko's party.
August 25, 2020
Islamic Motivated Offender Attacked Synagogue
Yesterday a press conference was held concerning the attack of a synagogue and the president of the Jewish community in Graz. The attacker was identified as a Syrian citizen with an Islamic motive. In the upcoming weeks, synagogues in Austria will be protected by police officers.
August 25, 2020
Austria Expels Russian Diplomat, Russia Reacts and Expels Austrian Diplomat
After the Austrian Foreign Ministry had declared a Russian diplomat an undesirable person in connection with accusations of espionage, Russia has now reacted by deporting an Austrian diplomat.
August 24, 2020
President Van der Bellen at the Salzburg Festival: "Artists Need All Our Support"
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen invited his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier accompanied by Elke Büdenbender to a festival and working visit in Salzburg. Both presidents agreed on the fact that artists are in a very difficult situation at the moment and need to be supported.
August 24, 2020
Federal Minister Edtstadler: "We Must Protect and Promote Jewish Life Throughout Europe!"
After the recent attacks on the President of the Jewish Communities in Graz, Federal Minister Edtstadler made clear that Jewish life in Austria needs to be protected and promoted by any means.
August 24, 2020
Kaiser Apologizes for the Chaos at the Border
Governor Peter Kaiser apologized today to all people who got stuck at the borders to Austria on Saturday evening. He says that this situation should never happen again and claims that communication problems between the federal and the state government led to the chaos.
August 24, 2020
Vienna: 44 Hectares of Train Station Will Turn Into Housing for 16,000 People
By 2033, the City of Vienna together with Austrian Railways (ÖBB) will turn the train station at Nordwestbahnhof (20th district, Brigittenau) into living spaces that will comfort 16,000 people.
August 21, 2020
Austria Fears for Winter Tourism
The upcoming winter will be an immense challenge for the Austrian tourism industry. Tourism operators are requesting general and unified regulations implemented by the government to secure planning and tourists. A major focus will be laid on Après-Ski.
August 21, 2020
Mandatory Quarantine for Austrians in UK & Norway
The United Kingdom and Norway introduced a travel warning for Austria which leads to a mandatory quarantine for people coming from Austria. Both countries are thus reacting on the highly increasing numbers of infections in Austria.
August 21, 2020
IPU World Conference: National Council President Sobotka Highlights Importance of International Cooperation
The 5th IPU World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, originally planned on being conducted in Vienna, was held virtually from August 19 to August 20. Austrian National Council President Sobotka as well as the majority of the representatives underlined the importance of international cooperation.
August 21, 2020
Chancellor Kurz Criticizes Current Situation in Belarus
Chancellor Kurz and the majority of the European Union are criticizing the recent developments in Belarus and call for action. Free and fair elections and an end to the violence against protestors are among the demands.
August 20, 2020
US Ambassador Trevor Traina: Relations with Austria Stronger Than Ever
US Ambassador in Vienna Trevor Traina praises the improvement of US-Austrian relations in the recent year. A visit of President Donald Trump to Vienna is likely to happen once the travel restrictions fall.
August 20, 2020
Austrian Universities Should Use Traffic Light System as Orientation
Minister Faßmann presented a COVID-19 orientated traffic light system for universities to provide them with recommendations on how to react on rising Coronavirus cases. It is comparable to the system which will be implemented in schools.
August 20, 2020
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