Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

CESEE Remains Attractive for Austrian Investors

According to a survey, the region of CESEE is still attractive to Austrian investors. Particulary the bigger countries – Poland, Turkey and Russia – are becoming even more popular.

August 1, 2013

Austria: Verbund to Take Austerity Measures

Only a few months ago, CEO of Verbund Wolfgang Anzengruber promised that “2013 will become the best year in the company’s history”. However, there have been bad news for the energy company ever since.

August 1, 2013

Turkey: Tear Gas Against Protesters Again

Once more, the Turkish police uses tear gas to fight off protesters.

August 1, 2013

Romania’s Economic Recovery Expected to Strengthen.

Staff teams from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Commission (EC), and the World Bank visited Bucharest Romania during July 17–31.

August 1, 2013

Cyprus Is Showing Progress

According to estimates by its international creditors, Cyprus is showing progress at the reorganization of its state budget.

July 31, 2013

Serbia: No Early Elections Despite of Break of Coalition

Dismissal of Finance Minister Mladjan Dinkic. URS is leaving the governmental alliance. Despite of a break of the coalition, there will be no early elections in Serbia.

July 31, 2013

Czech Republic: Unwilling to Join Eurozone?

In 2012, the country missed two out of four criteria for the introduction of the single currency. According to the statistical office it was the worst result in five years. It is not yet clear when the Czech Republic is ready to join the Eurozone.

July 31, 2013

Slovenia: New Record for People Leaving the Country

According to the Statistics Office, the number of Slovenian citizens moving from the country came to a new record in 2012.

July 31, 2013

Romania: Drop of VAT on Bread and Baked Goods

Around 70 percent of Romanian bread and baked goods are sold on the black market. A drop in VAT is supposed to change that.

July 31, 2013

Slovenia Likely to Overcome Problems in Banking Sector

Slovenia’s problems in banking sector are controllable, according to experts.

July 31, 2013

Eurozone: Business Investments Decreased to 18.8 Percent

Business investment rate down to 18.8% in the euro area and to 18.3% in the EU27 Business profit share at 37.7% and at 37.2% respectively

July 31, 2013

Bulgaria: Danger of Policy Drifting

Bulgaria's fundamentals are strong but politics suggest policy drift.

July 31, 2013

Eurozone: Household Real Income Increased 0.5 percent

Household saving rate up to 13.1% in the euro area and to 11.0% in the EU27 Household real income per capita increased by 0.5% in the euro area

July 31, 2013

Ukraine’s Banking System to Approximate EU Standards

Introduction of Basel-II regulation earlier in 2013 helped banks create more reserves.

July 31, 2013

Trend: Service Industry Drifts to CESEE

Lower costs in the service sector in CESEE countries, particularly Romania, are compensated by higher expenditures in securing quality standards.

July 30, 2013

EVN Forced to Lower Electriciy Prices in Bulgaria

Austrian energy provider EVN is ordered by the regulator to drop electricity prices.

July 30, 2013

Protests: Bulgaria in a Political and Social Crisis

Thousands of protesters are still marching the streets of Sofia. It is particularly the educated middle class that has had enough of the raging corruption of the political elite.

July 30, 2013

Poland: Estimates for 2014 Lowered

Forecast by IbnGR: Poland's GDP will grow 1.2 percent in 2013 and 2.6 percent in 2014.

July 30, 2013

Czech Republic: US Export-Import Bank Offers Loan for Temelin

The official export credit agency of the United States offers a loan under the condition that Westinghouse wins the tender.

July 30, 2013

Bulgaria to Lower Electricity Prices by August

Bulgaria will lower the price of electricity on August 1st

July 30, 2013

Poland: Foreign Trade Deficit Grows Substantially

Poland's final 2012 trade deficit comes at € 10.584 bn, according to statistics office.

July 30, 2013

Slovenia Lures Russian Investors

Slovenia invites Russian investors to participate in privatization plans.

July 30, 2013

47.5 Percent Compulsory Levy in Cyprus

Major investors are losing almost half of their assets.

July 30, 2013

Meager Profits for Erste Group in First Half 2013

Erste Group posts net profit of EUR 301.2 million for first half of 2013; risk costs decline

July 30, 2013

RBI Trying to Avoid Becoming “Cash Cow“ in Hungary

In an interview with “Wirtschaftsblatt“, CEO of RBI Karl Sevelda talks about further burdens in Hungary and the bank’s reaction to them, capital increase and how participation capital can be replaced.

July 29, 2013

Gazprom Acquires Kirghiz Gas Network

In return for a symbolic purchase price, the Kirghiz natural gas network is taken over completely by Gazprom. The Russian energy giant intends to invest billions of rubel in infrastructure.

July 29, 2013

Two Interested Parties for Hypo Alpe Adria Italia

Two investors have shown their interest for the take-over of Italian affiliate of nationalized Hypo Alpe Adria. Banca Popolare di Vicenza and a British-Indian Group are claimed of being interested.

July 29, 2013

Russia: Stronger Regulations for Market for Consumer Loans

Business with consumer credits have started comparatively late in Russia. Now, the market is supposed to be regulated further.

July 29, 2013

Romania: Privatization as a Potential Driver for Economy

Romania has to privatize more state-owned enterprises to become one of fastest emerging economies in the European Union.

July 29, 2013

ECB: No Risk of Deflation in Europe

The European Central Bank (ECB), in contrast to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), does not see the danger of a general downward trend in prices with all its negative effects for the economy.

July 29, 2013

Bulgarian Deputy PM: “They Want Social Justice“

In an interview with Austrian newspaper Standard, Bulgarian Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Zinaida Zlatanova (40) talks about the reasons for the protest movement, planned reforms and critizism from abroad.

July 27, 2013

Czech Republic: President Zeman Names 15 New Ambassadors

The step had been delayed for several months over Zeman’s dispute with Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg over the filling of ambassadorial posts in Bratislava and Moscow.

July 26, 2013

Slovenia: Economy to Shrink Despite of Austerity Measures

Slovenian economy expected to contract 2.2 percent in 2013. Prior forecast: -1.9 percent.

July 26, 2013

Bulgaria: Signs of Economic Recovery

Bulgaria services sector marks the highest growth of FDI

July 26, 2013

Latvia: Saying Goodbye to the Lat

The introduction of the Euro in the Baltic country has been postponed due to the financial crisis. Latvia originally planned to join the single currency union in 2008 already.

July 26, 2013

Czech Republic to Remain in Recession

The Czech economy will, according to the Finance Ministry in Prague, shrink by 1.5 percent and only start growing again in 2014 by 0.8 percent.

July 26, 2013

Summit of Former Yugoslav Countries

Balkan leaders meet to support EU Accession.

July 26, 2013

72 Percent of Bulgarians Regard Situation as “Unbearable”

Every day since June 14 protesters are gathering in front of the parliament in Sofia to express their anger about corruption in the country and demand the current government to step down.

July 26, 2013

Poland: President Komorowski Most Trusted by Citizens

Poles trust president much more than party leaders.

July 26, 2013

Hungary Abandons Radical Resolution On Foreign Exchange Loans

Foreign currency denominated mortgages for home purchases shall be phased out.

July 25, 2013

Fekter: Debt reduction and tax reform are our absolute priorities

"We are on the right track"

July 25, 2013

KapschTrafficCom Still Struggling in South Africa

The South African government cannot start the project since the state-controlled toll company is already in desperate straits. Further financial aids are not in sight.

July 25, 2013

Poland: First Signs of Recovery from Crisis

Deputy Finance Minister Janusz Cichon expressed his optimism about the country’s soon economic recovery via Twitter by referring to Poland’s industrial performance and retail sales in the last month.

July 25, 2013

Croatia Might Join Schengen Zone in Three Years

Croatia to start procedures for no-passport zone in 2015.

July 25, 2013

Austria: First Tax Tranche from Switzerland Transferred

The first tranche of the tax agreement between Austria and Switzerland in the amount of € 416.7m was transferred. Fekter considers it “a great success for Austria and the taxpayers”.

July 25, 2013

Austria: 82 Percent of Alpine Employees With New Jobs

After the construction company’s bankruptcy, 82 percent of Alpine employees have found a new job again. Around 100 persons are still working on the winding up of the company.

July 25, 2013

Czech Republic: CEZ to Postpone Completion of Temelin

Czech energy company CEZ announced that the decision for the finalization of nuclear power plant Temelin will take at least a year longer than planned.

July 25, 2013

Bulgarian Protests As Sign of New Understanding of Values

The great wave of protests in Bulgaria continues to sweep the country. Experts regard the demonstrations as a sign of a new understanding of values.

July 25, 2013

Hypo Group: Massive Losses in Italy

The Italian affiliate of Austrian problem bank Hypo Alpe Adria has notched up considerable losses.

July 25, 2013

Poland: Opposition Calls for Parliamentary Inquiry

PiS chief opposition calls for parliamentary inquiry into public finances.

July 24, 2013