Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

Future of the EU Requires Solidarity And Integration

The EU has declared the year 2013 to be the “year of citizens”. The citizens of the EU should become aware of their European identity and their rights that come along with it.

March 15, 2013

Romanian Labor Costs Increased Dramatically

The EU average increase in labor costs in the 4th quarter in 2012 increased by 1.3 % throughout the EU. Front runner turns out to be Romania.

March 15, 2013

Austria: Mitterlehner Still Optimistic For Automotive Industry

The massive decline of 23 % in the motor vehicle trade in the first ten days of March 2013 does apparently not concern Austria’s economy minister Reinhold Mitterlehner.

March 15, 2013

Poland Sharpens Austerity Measures

In order to fulfill the Maastricht Criteria sustainably, Poland wants to reduce the budget deficit to 1.0% of GDP in 2015.

March 15, 2013

Hungary: Orban Rejects Criticisms

After making amendments to the Hungarian constitution, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his leading Fidezs party have to face harsh criticisms. EU Justice Commissoner Viviane Reding announced to take measures.

March 15, 2013

Meeting of German-speaking Finance Ministers in Berlin

On Wednesday, 13 March 2013, German Finance Minister Dr Wolfgang Schäuble welcomed the German-speaking Finance Ministers of Europe to talks in Berlin. The talks focused on current finance and fiscal policy issues.

March 15, 2013

Russia: Former Economy Minister To Become New Governor Of Central Bank

Former economy minister Elvira Nabiullina will take over the post of the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) Governor.

March 14, 2013

Russia: Banks At Risk Of Losing Billions

According to rating agency Moody’s, Russians banking institutes are at risk of losing money to investments in Cyprus.

March 14, 2013

Hungary: Number of Emigrants to Austria Increases

More and more Hungarians emigrate to Austria due to economic and political reason.

March 14, 2013

Czech Republic: Population Grows Slightly

In 2012, the population of the Czech Republic increased by 10.7 thousand to 10 516.1 thousand persons.

March 14, 2013

Ukraine Puts More Effort in New Infrastructure

“Financing and promotion of investment projects will give a fillip for the economic development of our country.”

March 14, 2013

Austrian Banks to Stay in Hungary

In the coming years, foreign banks will face a difficult market environment in Hungary. Nevertheless, Austrian banks want to maintain their position.

March 14, 2013

Croatia: HRK 380m To Be Paid Into The State Budget

At its session today, the Croatian National Bank (CNB) Council examined the latest monetary and economic indicators as well as a report on the banking system condition in the last quarter of 2012.

March 14, 2013

Eurozone: Cut in Interest Rate Not Necessary

According to govenor of the Austrian National Bank an interest rate cut to improve the economic situation in the eurozone is not required at the moment. UKIP Leader Farage criticizes politicians for denying problems in eurozone.

March 14, 2013

Slovenia: New Coalition Stands

Slovenia´s new Prime Minister Alenka Bratusek is the head of a four-party-coalition.

March 13, 2013

Orban Wants to Strengthen Hungarian Banks

According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the high share of foreign banks is “unhealthy”.

March 13, 2013

Serbia: Key Policy Rate Kept at 11.75%

The Executive Board of the National Bank has decided in its meeting to keep the key policy rate at 11.75%.

March 13, 2013

Austria Welcomes Agreement between Croatia and Slovenia

"The last stumbling block for Croatia's accession to the EU has been removed by solving the Ljubljanska Banka issue."

March 13, 2013

Russia: Battle Between Rosneft And Gasprom Starts

The fight between Russia’s two biggest energy providers Rosneft and Gasprom has started. Rosneft tries to snatch away large deposits of raw oil and reports Gasprom to the government.

March 12, 2013

Bulgaria: Caretaker Government Announced

Three weeks after the stepping down of Bulgaria’s right-of-center government, President Rosen Plevneliev put together an interim government.

March 12, 2013

Mignon (PACE) Praises Serbia For Progresses

Today, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Jean-Claude Mignon gave credit to Serbia’s progress in the execution of reforms and expressed faith in finding solution for the Kosvo issue.

March 12, 2013

Latvia: Increase for Minimum Wages Turned Down

Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis explained that a raise of minimum wages to LVL 303 (€ 428) is not realizable at the moment.

March 12, 2013

Bulgaria: Latest Protests Against Privatizing of Railway

Protesters in three cities gathered to demonstrate against the privatization of the freight division of the Bulgarian state railroads (BDZ).

March 12, 2013

Hungary: Constitutional Amendmends Signed By Vast Majority

EU Commission fears that Hungary’s state institutions will have to experience major restrictions.

March 12, 2013

Austria: Hypo Group Still Sailing in Stormy Waters

Hypo Group wants a fast selling until the end of 2013. Vending of Italian and CESEE subsidiaries could take longer as the economic situation is not appealing at the moment.

March 12, 2013

Austria: Nationalizing Hypo Group Prevented BayernLB from Losses

EU Competition Commission pushes the Austrian government to shut down the loss-making Hypo Group.

March 11, 2013

Hungary: Former President Urges Successor to Veto

Former President Lazlo Solyom warns his follower, President Janos Ader,in a dramatic speech of the end of checks and balances in Hungary’s political system.

March 11, 2013

Slovenia/Croatia: Paving the Way for Brussels

Today, both heads of government, Janez Jansa and Zoran Milanovic, signed the “Memorandum of Understanding” in Mokrice which will permit Croatia to become a full EU member.

March 11, 2013

Bulgaria: EVN Under Surveillance

While the Austrian power supplier EVN is currently kept under surveillance of the Bulgarian judiciary and government, protests by the citizens all over the country continue.

March 11, 2013

Hungary: Demonstrations in Budapest

Protests against the planned constitutional amendmends took place on Saturday, March 9. US and EU express their concern about the political developments.

March 9, 2013

Bulgaria: „Eagle’s Bridge“-Protests Start Today

Other meetings of protest representatives are taking place in Gabrov today to elect a committee for further negotiations with government.

March 9, 2013

Austria: Opposition Puts Forward Constitutional Challenge

Fiscal Pact undermines sovereignty of parliament and forces the country to severe austerity measures.

March 9, 2013

Montenegro: Knocking on Brussels’ Door

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Presse, state secretary for European integratition and Montenegro’s chief negotiator Aleksandar Pejovic informs when his country is ready to join the EU.

March 9, 2013

Hungary: Austrian Farmers on the Verge of Dispossession

A new regulation should help Hungarians prevent from "greedy speculators".

March 8, 2013

Serbia: Number of Dwellings Rose Substantially

Today, the Serbian Statistical Office has published the Census of Population, Households and Dwellings.

March 8, 2013

Belgrade Initiative to Support Serbia´s Financial System

The first meeting of the Belgrade Initiative, a host country cross-border banking forum, was held in Belgrade today.

March 8, 2013

Macedonia: Protests Against Government

Young Albanians protest against an „Anti-Albanian“ policy.

March 8, 2013

Czech Republic: Erste Group Cutting More Jobs

Because Erste Group has to save CZK 1bn (€ 39m) this year, economy measures need to be taken.

March 8, 2013

Austria: Negative Outlook for Banks

Moody’s current analysis paints a rather bleak picture about the situation of the Austrian banking industry.

March 8, 2013

CZ: President Klaus Leaving Presidential Office

After having been in office for ten years, Czech President Vaclav Klaus left Prague Castle. Today, Friday March 8, his sucessor Milos Zeman is going to be sworn in.

March 8, 2013

Bulgaria/Romania: Schengen-Entry Postponed

The two countries will not become part of the Schengen-zone in 2013. EU interior ministers meet to discuss problem of “social tourism”.

March 7, 2013

Austria: Hypo Managing Board Warns of Losses

Hypo Group’s managers fear that selling the bank precipitately might lead to additional losses up to € 5bn for the bank and federal state.

March 7, 2013

CSA: Korean Air as Only Bidder

The Korean airline company aims to take over the publicly held stake in Czech Airlines (CSA). Korean Air only offers € 2.64m.

March 7, 2013

Slovenian National Bank: “GDP Decline in Line with Expectations”

The Governing Board of the Bank of Slovenia discussed current economic and financial developments.

March 7, 2013

Austria: Elsner Files Lawsuit in US Supreme Court

Former BAWAG CEO Helmut Elsner filed a lawsuit over $ 1.8bn against members of the Austrian Social Democrat party (SPÖ).

March 7, 2013

"Strict financial audits enhance trust in administrative bodies"

Symposium of international courts of auditors discusses citizens' participation in Vienna.

March 7, 2013

Austria: Minor Increase of Age for Pension

Despite of reforms concerning the pension system and a raise for the pension entitlement, only a slight increase was noticed.

March 7, 2013

Slovenia/Croatia: Agreement over Bank Dispute

After years of debate, there seem to be a final agreement in the fight for the insolvent Ljubljanska Banka. The settlement should pave the way for Croatia’s becoming an EU member state.

March 7, 2013

Hungary: Incoming National Economy Minister Summarizes Targets

Succeeding Minister of National Economy Mihály Varga outlined economic policy cornerstones

March 7, 2013

Hungary: Expropriation of Foreign Farmers

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced further steps and plans the dispossession of foreign investors.

March 7, 2013