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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
Easier Access to Austria for Commuters from Abroad
"Ongoing consultations with Austria's neighbouring countries are making life easier for commuters from abroad", says European Affairs Minister Karoline Edtstadler.
April 14, 2020
Chancellor Kurz: ''As much freedom as possible, as much restriction as necessary"
First step towards new normality: Small shops were opened in Austria. Curfews still apply.
April 14, 2020
Self-Sufficiency in COVID-19 Mask Production
A first step towards Austrian self-sufficiency in mask production for medical protective equipment was taken. In future, it should be possible to produce up to 500,000 corona protective masks of the "Made in Austria" brand every day.
April 8, 2020
Tyrol Lifts Coronavirus-Quarantine
Tyrol is still under massive criticism and threat of a class action lawsuit from Germany and some Scandinavian countries because the authorities in the Tyrolean ski resort of Ischgl took quarantine measures very late, although warnings from these countries had already been issued. Today Tyrol's Governor Günther Platter announced during a video press conference that Tyrol would end its self-isolation.
April 6, 2020
Austria to Ease Anti-Corona Measures from Mid-April
The drastic Austrian measures in the fight against the coronavirus are to be gradually eased after Easter.
April 6, 2020
Further Coronavirus Measure: Police Officers in Austria Only in Protective Masks
From now on, police officers in Austria will only perform official acts with protective masks.
April 2, 2020
Explosive Corona Papers: Tens of Thousands of Additional Deaths in Austria
An internal study prepared for the government by a commission of experts on the COVID19 crisis shows a gloomy forecast for Austria. The paper states that under the realistic assumption of a replication factor of 1.7 (i.e. 1 person infects 1.7 people), the Austrian health system will collapse. If it is not possible to push the replication factor below the value of 1, tens of thousands of additional deaths and a collapse of the health care system can be expected in Austria by mid-April.
April 1, 2020
State Authority: Austria Under Police Control?
The Federal Ministry of the Interior is stepping up its police presence to ensure that the government's guidelines are enforced. So far, 10,426 coronavirus criminal charges have been filed throughout Austria. Is this approach too strict?
March 30, 2020
Austrian Government Extends Measures: Masks Partially Obligatory
At a press conference today, the government presented further measures to contain the coronavirus.
March 30, 2020
Federal Chancellor: "The situation is still serious"
Austrian government presents details of the aid package designed to save jobs and businesses.
March 26, 2020
Austrian Government to Boost Coronavirus Testing Capacity
The government announced on Tuesday that it would greatly increase the capacity for coronavirus testing, apparently after the WHO had asked European countries to do so the day before.
March 24, 2020
Isolated Austria: 238 Border Closures Approved
Almost complete border closures to almost all neighbours, Germany (58), Italy (47), Switzerland (30), Liechtenstein (11), Slovenia (51) and Hungary (43), with the exception of Slovakia, have been approved by the main committee of the National Council and have already been implemented.
March 21, 2020
Budget Statement: Do What Is Necessary
Finance Minister Blümel: "No one knows how long this crisis will last. No one knows what effects it will have. But we do know that we will do everything we can to maintain the health of Austrians, to secure jobs and to carry the location through the crisis. Whatever the cost."
March 20, 2020
Austria's Federal State Tyrol Under Total Quarantine
The province of Tyrol with 1.8 million inhabitants has issued a quarantine regulation for all 279 Tyrolean communities. Governor Platter: "That Tyrol isolates itself is absolutely necessary."
March 19, 2020
Again Border Controls between Germany and Austria
In the wake of the supposed corona danger coming from Germany, Austria has been further sealing itself off from its neighbours since today. According to Minister of the Interior Nehammer, this measure represents "one of many important ones to stop the spread of the corona virus". Medical certificate needed.
March 19, 2020
Austrian Government Says It is Prepared to Pump Virtually Unlimited Money into Economy
The Federal Government announced today that an aid package of up to 38 billion euros is being prepared to deal with the consequences of the coronavirus.
March 18, 2020
COVID-19: "How do we get through this, Mr. President?"
Alexander Van der Bellen spoke to the "Kronen Zeitung" about an unprecedented threat: "In Austria we want to avoid a situation in hospitals where doctors have to decide who gets the oxygen, the 70-year-old or the 60-year-old."
March 16, 2020
COVID-19 Bill Adopted by National Council and Upper House of Parliament
Both the National Council and the Federal Council today approved the major legislative package to deal with the coronavirus crisis. The signing by the Federal President took already place this evening.
March 15, 2020
Austria: Green Light for Comprehensive Coronavirus Bill
The COVID 19 crisis management fund has been granted €4 billion. What specific measures are included in this package?
March 15, 2020 · Updated: March 15, 2020; 14:37
COVID-19: Closure of Border Crossing Points with Italy Formally Adopted
Austrian National Council approves closure of 47 border crossings with Italy.
March 15, 2020
Austrian Province of Tyrol Orders Curfew
The province of Tyrol, which is particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic, is imposing a curfew.
March 15, 2020
Coronavirus Crisis in Austria: Four Billion Euro Package for the Economy
The Austrian government today cancelled the budgetary "zero deficit" for 2020 and announced the provision of four billion euros for immediate measures.
March 14, 2020
COVID-19: Further Drastic Measures - Reduction of Social Life to a Minimum
In order to slow down the spread of the virus, it is necessary for the Austrian population to continue to take consistent measures, in particular to reduce social contacts to a minimum in the near future.
March 13, 2020
Austria is Concerned, but Federal President Remains Silent
In Austria - as in the rest of the world - there is also the danger of a coronavirus pandemic, but Federal President Van der Bellen, who ran the election campaign with a ticket from the Green Party, and who comments on the climate crisis almost weekly, remains silent, instead of informing the population and calling on them to take preventive measures. (Updated on March 13, 2020. See below.)
February 29, 2020 · Updated: March 13, 2020; 20:30
State of Emergency in Austria: Federal Government Appeals to Population
The Federal Government informed about further necessary steps and the current situation regarding coronavirus. From Monday, March 16, 2020, social life will be reduced to a minimum. Air and train traffic to Switzerland, Spain and France will be suspended. Many shops will be closed, with the exception of those necessary for basic services. Public transport will be maintained. With a few exceptions, cafés, restaurants and bars will only be open until 3 p.m. from Monday onwards. Visitors are prohibited in all hospitals.
March 13, 2020
City of Vienna Signals Willingness to Talk to Rothschild's Heir
In the conflict over a non-profit Rothschild Foundation from 1908, today's Neurological Centre Rosenhügel (Neurologisches Zentrum Rosenhügel), between Geoffrey Hoguet, the grandson of the donor Alfons Freiherr von Rothschild, who lives in New York City, and the City of Vienna's magistrate, the City of Vienna is now offering its "willingness to talk".
March 12, 2020
Crisis Between Athens and Ankara: Greek Prime Minister in Vienna
Thousands of refugees still hope to enter the EU from Turkey. Athens is therefore strengthening its border management, seeking support from the EU and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis travelled to Vienna.
March 11, 2020
Austrian Government Announces Drastic Measures on Coronavirus
In the fight against the coronavirus, the government has announced drastic measures for the first time. Entry ban from Italy, partial suspension of air and train traffic, cancellation of events, suspension of teaching at universities and technical colleges.
March 10, 2020
Air Travel to Austria: Further Flights Stopped Due to COVID-19 Spread
To contain the coronavirus, direct flights from Austria to Iran, South Korea and the northern Italian airports of Bologna and Milan will be discontinued in the next two weeks. Passengers from third countries require a medical certificate. This was announced by the Federal Government during a press conference broadcast nationwide. Details as follows.
March 7, 2020
Coronavirus: Austria's "Containment Strategy"
The latest developments concerning the coronavirus were the dominant topic of today's debate in the Health Committee of the Austrian Parliament.
March 3, 2020
EC Renews Talks with North Macedonia and Albania
The process of rapprochement between the two Western Balkan countries and the EU European Union, supported by Austria, now seems to be gaining momentum again after the EU Commission today reiterated its recommendation to open accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia.
March 2, 2020
Corona Virus: Public Information Campaign Receives Good Response
So far there have been 2,120 tests in Austria, 16 of which have been positive. In addition, there are 350 isolation cases which are in quarantine.
March 2, 2020
Austrian People's Party Vienna: Gernot Blümel Re-elected with 96.8 Percent
State party leader (and current Finance Minister) Gernot Blümel was confirmed and re-elected by the state party conference of the New People's Party (ÖVP) of Vienna with 96.8 percent as Vienna's state party leader. "Historical chance for Vienna to be re-governed." Criticism of Mercer's study.
February 29, 2020
What Vienna Can Learn from Wuhan
The Chinese authorities learned from the SARS crisis of 2003-2004 and acted quickly and decisively to contain the threat of the new COVID-19 virus to public health. The rapidly increasing number of cases of infection has put enormous strain on the local health system. An unprecedented rescue mission of a population six times the size of Vienna and a nationwide campaign against the epidemic began. Since the end of February, the number of confirmed new cases in Wuhan has been declining.
February 29, 2020
Ministry of the Interior: 1,649 Tests in Austria, 9 of them Positive
So far there have been 1,649 tests in Austria, nine of which have been positive. Worldwide there are 85,181 patients and 2,920 fatalities.
February 29, 2020
Austrian Coronavirus Summit: Population to Participate in Containment
In a meeting of Federal Chancellor Kurz, Health Minister Rudolf Anschober and Interior Minister Karl Nehammer with the state governors in the Federal Chancellery, agreement was reached on uniform nationwide guidelines for dealing with the coronavirus. The Chancellor appealed to the population to actively participate in the containment of the virus.
February 28, 2020
Current Status of Developments in Austria: Strategy to Separate from the Virus
The coronavirus was a topic of discussion in the National Council today. The aim of all measures is to contain the virus and prevent its spread. Health and Interior Ministers strongly opposed scare-mongering and called for joint efforts to meet the challenge.
February 27, 2020
Austrian Chancellor Kurz at 10 Downing Street
Chancellor Kurz met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London today. The discussion with Johnson focused on London's future relations with the European Union.
February 25, 2020
Austria is Arming itself against the Coronavirus
The Austrian Federal Government today presented a package of measures against "all" upcoming scenarios, with the aim of ensuring transparency, information and protection for the population. The next 2 to 3 weeks will be decisive in determining how the coronavirus situation develops.
February 24, 2020
Coronavirus Alert Level in Austria: "Forced Measures" are Not Excluded
The situation in Italy is being closely monitored, and Austria is well prepared for any eventuality. In Austria there was "no reason to panic". Border controls could be "ramped up" within minutes or within an hour, according to the Minister of the Interior.
February 23, 2020
Austria: 1.5 Mio Foreigners out of 8.9 Mio Population
1,487,020 people or 16.7% of the population in Austria are foreign nationals. Read which are the 15 largest foreign nationalities in Austria?
February 20, 2020
Portrait: Who is Alma Zadić, Austria's New Federal Minister of Justice?
Former refugee from the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alma Zadić commits herself to work with passion and all her strength for a policy of unconditional human rights and social justice.
February 20, 2020
Money Laundering: Austria about to Ratify European Council Directive
The Council of Europe Convention on Laundering, Search, Seizure and Confiscation of the Proceeds from Crime and on the Financing of Terrorism, which has already been ratified by 35 member states of the Council of Europe, is now also being discussed in the Austrian National Council.
February 18, 2020
Austria's Blockade of the Libya Mission "Sophia"
The EU foreign ministers have reached a basic consensus for a military mission to monitor the UN arms embargo on Libya. The EU naval operation "Sophia" in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya, however, will be terminated, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said in a statement after the Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
February 18, 2020
Follow-up Meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chancellor Kurz
Following Alexander Schallenberg's visit to Mike Pompeo just a few days ago, the Federal Chancellery has now confirmed, according to various media, the fact that Sebastian Kurz will also be travelling to Washington, D.C. at the beginning of March.
February 14, 2020
Cyber Attack on the Austrian Foreign Ministry: Update
A targeted attack with the intention of gathering information was launched against the Austrian Foreign Ministry at the beginning of the year. Since then, a large team of experts from the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Defence and the Federal Chancellery has been working around the clock to fend off this attack. The immediate attack has been stopped, but the investigation is still ongoing.
February 13, 2020
Nuclear Safety: Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Power are Major Challenges
The international community currently faces numerous challenges in the field of nuclear safety. At the ICONS - International Conference on Nuclear Security Conference of the IAEA in Vienna, these issues were discussed at policymaker level.
February 13, 2020
US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross in Vienna
The 82-year-old United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, who has been in office since February 28, 2017 and was nominated by Donald Trump, visited Vienna and met, among others, US Ambassador Trevor Traina, WKO President Mahrer, Finance Minister Blümel, Environment Minister Gewessler and Economics Minister Schramböck.
February 11, 2020
Brexit: Global Research Institute IIASA Gratified that UK Remains Member
The UK, which is one of 23 member countries and which has been a member of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg near Vienna since 2015, has confirmed funding for a further five years of UK membership of the institute.
February 10, 2020
ICONS 2020 - Global Nuclear Security Players Prioritise Their Agenda
The IAEA is currently organizing the third International Conference on Nuclear Security: Sustaining and Strengthening Efforts (ICONS 2020) at its headquarters in Vienna. The conference provides a forum for ministers, senior officials, policymakers and nuclear security experts to formulate and exchange views on achievements and experiences, current approaches, future directions and priorities for nuclear security.The previous conference, held three years ago, attracted over 2000 participants, including 47 government ministers, from 139 Member States and 29 intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
February 10, 2020
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