Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest

EU Commission to Lead Cartel Proceedings Against Gazprom

The Russian energy giant Gazprom might face penalties of up to € 11bn.

October 3, 2013

Austria Well Positioned in Global Economic Integration

According to a recent study by the Vienna Institute for Economic Studies (wiiw), Austria is well positioned in the global production and economic integration.

October 3, 2013

Poland: NBP Holds Interest Rate Flat

In order to support Poland´s economy, the Council of Polish National Bank has decided to keep the base rate at its historic low.

October 3, 2013

Austria: Pussyfooting around Forming Government Coalition

The Austrian People’s Party is picky in regard to choosing a coalition partner. So far the ÖVP has shown no interest in starting coalition talks with former partner SPÖ. However, there are not many options left.

October 2, 2013

Ukraine: Clashes between Police and Protesters

During a demonstration against the government in Kiev on Wednesday clashed occurred between police forces and around 400 supporters of the opposition.

October 2, 2013

Economic Upturn in Austria, Eurozone and CEE

Turbulent Emerging Market conditions have little impact on CEE.

October 2, 2013

Austria: Better off within Eurozone

Economic experts claim that since the beginning of the single currency union, Austria has seen an additional economic growth of 0.4 percent. According to them, a collapse of the Eurozone would lead to a massive decline in exports.

October 2, 2013

New Economic Strategy for SEE

On Tuesday, economic experts held a meeting in the Albanian capital Tirana to examine a draft strategy for development and employment in the SEE region until the year 2020.

October 2, 2013

Croatia Tries to Avoid Bail-Out by IMF

The 28th EU member country has severe fiscal problems. In order to avoid the IMF, Croatia borrows about $ 1.5bn on the U.S. market.

October 2, 2013

IMF Watches Serbia Carefully

Serbia still considers entering a loan agreement with the IMF. First talks were initiated this week.

October 1, 2013

Slovenia: Asset Quality Deteriorates Rapidly

The government of the financially stricken country comes more and more under pressure. In meantime, about 17% of the Slovenian loans are classified as “risky”.

October 1, 2013

Hungary: Budget Deficit Higher Than Planned

In the first half of 2013, Hungary´s preliminary deficit came at 2.6% of GDP. The government anticipates that the deficit will not exceed 3.0% of GDP this year.

October 1, 2013

Austria: Struggling to Keep up with Economic Growth and Competitiveness

IV demands overhaul of funding policy by the government so that Austria will improve in international competitiveness.

October 1, 2013

Poland: Majority Still against Joining Eurozone

According to a poll, 52 percent of Polish citizens regard the country’s joining the single currency union will be bad for the country.

October 1, 2013

Modest Increase in Croatian Purchase Power

Croatian per capita consumer spending is forecast to increase by a modest 18% to 2017.

October 1, 2013

Slovenia to Decide about Selling of Telekom Slovenije

The Slovenian government will decide upon the fate of Telekom Slovenije on Thursday, October 3.

October 1, 2013

Serbia’s EU Accession Talks to Start in January 2014

Talks on Serbia's EU accession to start no later than January.

October 1, 2013

Austria: Unemployment Will Not Stop Increasing

In September, the number of persons unemployed continued to increase while employment rose slightly. In total, a number of 335,661 persons were jobless which makes an increase of 13.8 percent on an annual comparison.

October 1, 2013

Austrian Banking Package: Costs May Reach € 30bn

In total, the burden for Austrian taxpayers is expected to reach up to 10% of GDP.

October 1, 2013

Poland´s Budget Gap Narrows

The Polish government has approved the final budget draft for 2014.

October 1, 2013

Austrian Competitiveness Under Pressure

Last year, Austrian labor costs grew stronger than productivity.

October 1, 2013

Upward Trend in Poland´s Labor Market

The unemployment quota stabilizes at a high level. Poland´s economic outlook improves gradually.

October 1, 2013

Slovenian Government to Approve Adjusted Budget

The Slovenian government today plans on implementing the revised budget for next year and the draft for the 2015 budget.

September 30, 2013

Eurozone: Inflation Drops to 1.1 Percent

According to first estimates by Eurostat, the Eurozone shows the lowest inflation rate in more than a year. Only twelve months ago the inflation rate was at 2.7 percent.

September 30, 2013

Romania Cuts Base Rate to Record Low

The Romanian Central Bank has cut the base rate to a record low of 4.25 percent.

September 30, 2013

Rosneft Wants to Take over Majority of TNK-BP

The World’s biggest oil company Rosneft intends taking over British-Russian joint venture TNK-BP at the beginning of next year.

September 30, 2013

Austria: IV Warns Policy-Makers

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) considers the low voter’s turnout as an alarming sign.

September 30, 2013

Austria: Public Debt Increased to 74.0 Percent of GDP

Public finances 2012: public deficit at 2.5 percent, public debt at 74.0 percent of GDP.

September 30, 2013

Austrian Industry Continues Upward Trend

Developments in Austria follow the European trend.

September 30, 2013

Hypo Group: Sale of Assets in SEE to Take Forms

The nationalized Austrian bank Hypo Group sells its assets in Southeastern Europe. The SEE-holding company will be established until the beginning of October.

September 29, 2013

Austrian Elections 2013: Government Punished by the Voters

The two governing parties SPÖ and ÖVP have reached their worst results ever. Nevertheless, nothing will change in Austria.

September 29, 2013

Austrian Elections 2013: Governing Parties Lose Moderately

The Austrian political landscape has changed. New parties will enter the Austrian Parliament. Nevertheless, there is no realistic alternative to the “grand coalition” between SPÖ and ÖVP.

September 29, 2013 · Updated: September 29, 2013; 17:59

Austrian Elections 2013: Majority of Government Wobbles

Tomorrow, Austria will hold elections. The coalition between the social democrats (SPÖ) and the conservatives (ÖVP) has to fear that the majority may be lost.

September 28, 2013

Poland: Pension Scheme Reform to be Eased

At the beginning of September, Poland´s government decided to re-nationalize the pension system. Now, the government considers relativizing the reform.

September 28, 2013

"European bank supervision sends a strong signal to financial markets"

Austrian Federal Minister of Finance Maria Fekter welcomes favourable European Parliament decision on bank supervision.

September 28, 2013

Czech Republic: Working Poor Class Grows

In total, about one million Czechs fall into the category of employed poor. Their number is growing substantially.

September 28, 2013

Hungary is Seeking New Creditors

The Hungarian public debt agency AKK intends to sell more sovereign bonds in Asia. Compared to other European countries, Hungary´s debt burden causes severe difficulties.

September 27, 2013

Croatia Plans on Increasing VAT by Three Percent

Croatia eyes increased intermediate VAT from 10 to 13%.

September 27, 2013

Austria: Kapsch Demands Reform Agenda From New Government

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) demands the next federal government to introduce a comprehensive reform agenda.

September 27, 2013

Croatia: Entry into Schengen Important, Not Decisive

Croatia plans to apply for accession to the Schengen passport-free area in two years.

September 27, 2013

Czech Republic: No Foreign Exchange Interventions

As the Czech economy shows first signs of recovery, the Czech National Bank (CNB) decided against further monetary instruments.

September 27, 2013

Slovakia: Economic Upward Trend Supports Fiscal Targets

After six consecutive quarters of economic deceleration, Slovakia faces better economic data. The positive trend helps Slovakia´s government.

September 26, 2013

Austrian Bank Tax Paid By Bank´s Customers

The Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) reports that it is “likely” that banks shift the burden to their customers.

September 26, 2013

Slovenia: PM Takes International Bailout into Consideration

For the first time the crisis-struck Eurozone member country has admitted to consider international bailout as an option for its ailing banks.

September 26, 2013

EU Commission: Poland Lacks in Innovation and Work Efficiency

According to the EU Commission’s annual report on the competitiveness among the EU member countries, which was released on Wednesday, Poland has been improving its competitiveness.

September 26, 2013

Slovenia: Economic Outlook Deteriorates

Slovenia has slipped back into recession as its real GDP declined by 2.3 % in 2012.

September 26, 2013

Croatia: Major Reforms Required for Economic Upturn

Croatia continues to suffer from recession - its economy has not grown since 2008, contracting in 2012 by 2% and in 2013 by 1%.

September 26, 2013

Ukraine: Provisional Free Trade with EU

According to Polish News Agency PAP, the EU countries have agreed to grant Ukraine a temporary use of a number of terms of the Association Agreements which will become effective even before the ratification process is completed.

September 26, 2013

Austria Placed 9th in Competition Ranking

According to the latest EU Competition report 2013, Austria ranks ninth among 28 member states. The leaders in the ranking are Sweden, followed by Germany and Denmark while Bulgaria, Latvia and Romania are at the lowest positions.

September 25, 2013

Raids at Ukrainian Affiliate of Bank Austria

Ukrsotsbank in Kiev was searched on Friday due to unclear ownership structures of non-performing loans which led to disputes between banks and clients. Within the Unicredit Group Bank Austria is responsible for banks in Eastern Europe.

September 25, 2013