Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

Bulgarian Government Resigns

This step came as a surprise. Before, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov rejected to step down. In April, the country will hold new elections.

February 20, 2013

Bulgaria Cuts Energy Prices

After heavy citizens´ protests, the Bulgarian government has lowered the energy prices by 8%. Moreover, the Czech energy group CEZ loses its license.

February 19, 2013

S&P Warns Austria of Election Gifts

This year, Austria will hold federal elections. According to S&P, expensive election gifts may reduce the credit rating outlook.

February 19, 2013

Protests in Bulgaria Threaten to Escalate

Despite the resignation of Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov, the protests go on and may turn into riots. The opposition wants to hold new elections.

February 19, 2013

Austrian Business Location Still Popular

According to a survey carried out by ABA Invest Austria, Austria ranks third in Europe.

February 19, 2013

Austria: Number of Naturalisations Increases

7 107 persons acquired Austrian citizenship in 2012.

February 18, 2013

Poland: Rostowski Calls for Structural Reforms

Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski wants his country to join the Eurozone. However, Poland has to implement fiscal reforms, he claims.

February 18, 2013

Estonians Suffer from Unfavorable Working Conditions

According to a survey carried out by the daily newspaper Eesti Päevaleht, a considerably high number of Estonians want to leave the country. The situation in Lativa is almost the same.

February 18, 2013

Romania Almost Stagnates

Last year, Romania´s economy could prevent a recession. The GDP growth came at 0.2%.

February 18, 2013

Bulgarian Minister of Finance Resigns

Due to the citizens´ protests against the government´s austerity cuts, Simeon Djankov steps down as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

February 18, 2013

NBU: “Banking Industry Shows an Upward Trend”

Mr. Oleksii Tkachenko, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, believes that overall 2012 was a successful year for the domestic banking industry.

February 18, 2013

Financial Transactions Tax: Austria Expects Tax Intake of € 500m

The Austria government is optimistic to reach the fiscal goal. The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) warns of detrimental effects for the real economy.

February 16, 2013

IMF Praises Lithuania´s Economic Recovery

According to the International Monetary Fund, the income redistribution is not sufficient. In general, Lithuania´s economic performance is satisfying, however.

February 16, 2013

Hypo Group: Sale of Austrian Unit „at a Late Stage”

According to Hypo Group, the results of the Austrian unit for 2012 are “highly satisfying”.

February 16, 2013

Euro Adoption: Latvian People Not Convinced at All

Latvia´s government is proud of its austerity course of the last years. According to Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, the country is ready for the euro.

February 16, 2013

Public Debt: Austria´s Government Too Optimistic

The austerity targets of the Austrian government are not realistic. Above all, the official public debt level will increase significantly next year.

February 15, 2013

Fekter Wants to Reduce „Ageing Costs“

Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter thinks that pension cuts are inevitable. The social democrats reject Fekter´s ideas.

February 15, 2013

European Economy: Nowotny Demonstrates Pessimism

This year, the economy of the Eurozone will shrink, the governor of Austrian National Bank says. Austria suffers from a weak domestic consumption, Nowotny explains.

February 15, 2013

“Financial transactions tax promotes fairness”

According to Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Spindelegger, the financial transactions tax is strengthening the competitiveness in Europe through targeted reforms.

February 15, 2013

Austrian Population at Record Level

Last year, Austria's population rose in 2012 by about 45 000 people. In total, the country has 8.5 million inhabitants.

February 15, 2013

“Tax on financial transaction is a big achievement for Austria”

“Our perseverance has paid a dividend” Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter said.

February 14, 2013

“Austria’s interests are best represented in a competitive EU”

State Secretary Lopatka underlines the necessity of maintaining competitiveness in the EU.

February 14, 2013

Austria Concludes Agreement on the Prohibition of Speculation

Minister of Finance Maria Fekter, Secretary of State Andreas Schieder, Conference Governor Markus Wallner, President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities Helmut Mödlhammer signed the agreement on the prohibition of speculation.

February 14, 2013

Spindelegger Hopes for “Speedy Conclusion of Free Trade Treaty”

Following the speech by US President Barack Obama, Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger hopes that negotiations on a free trade area between Europe and the US will be initiated shortly.

February 14, 2013

Slovenian Central Bank Wants to Boost Economic Growth

Since the middle of last year, the Bank of Slovenia and the Bank Association of Slovenia have been coordinating their action to improve the business conditions for the real sector.

February 14, 2013

Russia: Consumer Loans Growing Substantially

At the moment, the market for consumer loans is growing by 40%. The household indebtedness is still relatively low.

February 13, 2013

Massive Losses in Slovenian Banking Sector

Last year, the banking industry has recorded total losses of more than € 600m, the Slovenian business magazine “Finance” reports.

February 13, 2013

Fekter pleased With “Good data on Austria”

Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter on Ecofin data: “We have some work to do on debt reduction and pension costs”.

February 13, 2013

“Mali to receive support from EU and Austria”

Development Ministers consult on new European development framework in Dublin.

February 13, 2013

S&P Downgrades Slovenia

Today, the U.S. rating agency has lowered the credit rating of the financially stricken country. Further downgrades are not unlikely.

February 13, 2013

IMF Supports Lithuania´s Aim to Enter Eurozone

In 2015, the Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone. According to Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, the IMF welcomes this decision.

February 12, 2013

Russia Makes Oil to Gold

In the last decade, Russia´s government has transformed the oil exports into gold reserves. No other country has bought more gold in the last years.

February 12, 2013

“2012 was a good year for the domestic banking industry”

Ihor Sorkin, governor of the National Bank of Ukraine underlines that the performance of the Ukrainian banking industry was satisfying last year.

February 12, 2013

Bulgaria: Inflation Reaches 4.2%

The past 2012 ended with 4.2% annual inflation after in December the reported monthly increase of the price level totalled 0.4%, Raiffeisen Research Reports.

February 12, 2013

Slovakia: Tax Intake to Decrease

Despite the higher income tax rates, the Slovak state revenues are expected to fall by € 360m this year.

February 12, 2013

Spindelegger: “Acceptable Result for Austria”

“For Austria, this result is not exactly a reason to be euphoric, but it is important both for Europe and for us that we have managed to reach an agreement.” Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

February 12, 2013

Austrian Governing Parties Disagree on EU Budget

The Austrian people´s party (ÖVP) has criticized Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ). The social democrats argue that the coalition partner ÖVP has “no team sprit”.

February 11, 2013

Slovenia Faces New Elections

The Slovenian government is under massive pressure. A government collapse is more than likely.

February 11, 2013

Despite Budget Cut: Poland Receives More Money

“This is one of the happiest days of my life.” Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.

February 11, 2013

Satisfying Fiscal Situation in Bulgaria

The 2012 budget deficit stands much lower than planned: 0.5% of GDP. Public debt falls after Eurobond repayment in January 2013, Raiffeisen Research analyzes.

February 11, 2013

Russia: National Bank Under Pressure

Russia´s National Bank faces a growing inflation rate. At the same time, the economic growth flattens.

February 9, 2013

Erdogan Praises Slovakia´s Support for Turkey

Turkey´s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his gratitude to his Slovak counterpart Robert Fico for Slovekia´s support for Turkey´s EU membership.

February 9, 2013

„Slovenia Will Become a Star Again“

In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper “Presse”, Slovenia´s President Borut Pahor demonstrates optimism. He admits that many Slovenians feel injustice.

February 9, 2013

Voestalpine to Announce Decision on Expansion Into North America

The Austrian steel group plans a major investment in North America. According to voestalpine´s CEO Wolfgang Eder, the decision will be announced in February.

February 9, 2013

“Not Enough Support for Growth and Competitiveness“

Georg Kapsch, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries criticizes that the EU budget does not contain enough future investments.

February 9, 2013

EU Budget: Poland Among Main Beneficiaries

Although the EU budget was cut, Poland will receive more EU-funds than in the current period.

February 8, 2013

2014 - 2020: Austrian Net Contributions Rise Substantially

In the financial period from 2014 to 2020, Austria loses almost the half of its discount. The net contributions total € 1.15bn per year.

February 8, 2013

Ukraine: Foreign Exchange Reserves on the Rise

International reserves increased by USD 106 million over January 2013.

February 8, 2013

Poland Underlines Necessity of Cohesion Funds

At the EU summit, Poland wants to secure as much cohesion payments in the next multiannual financial framework from 2014 to 2020.

February 7, 2013

Klaus Recommends to Split Eurozone

According to the outgoing Czech President, the separation of the eurozone would be cheaper than maintaining the currency union.

February 7, 2013