Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

Keuschnigg Forecasts End of Bank Secret in Austria

Head of the Austrian Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS), Christian Keuschnigg expects the end of the bank secret in Austria.

April 3, 2013

Russia: Refinancing Rate Expected to Be Cut

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) estimates inflation risks higher than a slow economic growth. However, the refinancing rate is expected to be lowered soon.

April 3, 2013

Law Files Against Bulgaria from EVN and CEZ.

Power Suppliers EVN, CEZ and Energo Pro have to face high losses. CEZ announced to file a law against Bulgaria as well.

April 3, 2013

Poll: Estonians Want Economy Minister to Resign

56 % of Estonian citizens want the Economy Minister Parts to step down.

April 3, 2013

Romania: Ponta Endorses Regionalization

Regionalization, which is encompassed in the constitutional reforms, is supposed to help improve the administrative situation in Romania.

April 3, 2013

Hungary: Public Deficit Amounted to HUF 166.6bn in Q4/2012

The deficit of the general government sector was HUF 566.7 billion in 2012, 2.0% of GDP according to data reported to the EU on 29 March 2013 under the Excessive Deficit Procedure (EDP).

April 3, 2013

Austria: Lowest Unemployment Rate

Euro area unemployment rate at 12.0%, EU27 at 10.9%

April 3, 2013

Cyprus: Prone to Recession

Despite of the bail-out package, the country is threatened by a deep recession in the coming two years.

April 3, 2013

Austria: How to Benefit from Positive Labor Market Situation

Increasing number of employees should be reason to initiate economic stimuli and focus on investment incentives, states Leitl.

April 2, 2013

Macedonia: Fresh € 100m for Business Sector from EIB

The Macedonian government plans to provide fresh EUR 100 million loan, with 5.5% interest rate, as support to the business sector.

April 2, 2013

Referendum in Poland about Joining Eurozone

Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk offered a vote on a referendum about the adoption of the Euro in Poland. A simple majority needed for a decision could settle the issue.

April 2, 2013

Green’s Fear of Russian Black Money in Austria

Once more, the Austrian Greens insist on a reform of the bank secrecy.

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: Finance Minister Steps Down

According to reports by the media, Finance Minister of Cyprus, Michael Sarris will be replaced.

April 2, 2013

Lithuania and Latvia Preparing for Euro

The Baltic finance ministers emphasize sustainable growth and euro importance.

April 2, 2013

2012: Significant Increase in Austrian Construction Industry

According to the latest data issued by Statistik Austria, the construction industry has increased its output significantly in 2012.

April 2, 2013

Bulgaria: Budget Deficit Amounting to BGN 732.0m

The budget balance under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) as of end-February 2013 is negative, amounting to BGN 732.0 million.

April 2, 2013

Serbia and Macedonia Enhance Cooperations

Cooperation between Serbia and Macedonia precondition for efficient tackling of regional issues

April 2, 2013

Hungary: Marginal Increase in Employment Rate

In light of the flash report by the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) released on March 28, a positive trend regarding employment – a priority area for the Government – becomes evident.

April 2, 2013

Cyprus: Anastasiades Comes Under Suspicion

President Nikos Anastasiades is in dire straits as he is accused of having transferred huge amounts of money to foreign countries and having warned relatives. In the meantime, the austerity package is almost set.

April 2, 2013

Slovenia: “We Will Need No Bailout This Year”

Since Greece, Spain and Cyprus are currently finding themselves in disastrous economic situations, Slovenia does not want to seem like the next bail-out candidate.

March 30, 2013

Bulgaria: Labor Hour Costs Increased 5.1 % in Q4 2012

Preliminary data of NSI for the Fourth Quarter of 2012 indicated that the total hourly labour cost rose by 5.1% compared to the Fourth Quarter of 2011.

March 30, 2013

Poland: Inflation Rate for Private Individuals At 1.6 %

March was the seventh consecutive month of decline in private individuals' inflation expectations. Respondents place average inflation rate as expected over the next 12 months at 1.6%.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Only The First Cut

Assets will be burdened much higher than assumed. Apart from the mandatory levy of 37.5 % a further amount of 22.5 % will be frozen in.

March 30, 2013

67 % of Estonians Work in Service Sector

According to the data of the 2011 Population and Housing Census (PHC 2011) of Statistics Estonia, 67% of persons employed in Estonia worked in service sector, 29% in industrial sector and only 4% in primary sector.

March 30, 2013

Lithuania: Turnover of Enterprises in Retail Increased By 0.9 %

In February 2013, against February 2012, the turnover of enterprises engaged in wholesale and retail trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles was on the increase.

March 30, 2013

Serbia: Financial Underhand Practices Discovered

Financial underhand practices had lead to losses of € 700m for the Serbian state.

March 30, 2013

Cyprus: 37.5 % Tax on Assets

The compulsory levy on bank assets exeeding € 100,000 has now been fixed. Assets above the amount will be taxed with 37.5 %.

March 30, 2013

EVN to Get Support by State Secretary

State Secretary Lopatka intervened in EVN’s dispute with Bulgarian government. He urges Bulgaria to ensure protection of investments.

March 29, 2013

"Croatia is Paving the Way for the Entire Balkans"

Austria’s Vice Chancellor advocates the commission’s assessment and is looking forward to welcoming Croatia as a new EU member.

March 29, 2013

Hungary: Economic Growth Only in 2014

The MNB, the National Bank of Hungary estimates economic growth to further stagnate in 2013 but forcasts positive devolopments for the next year.

March 29, 2013

Lithuania: Increase in Non-Cash Payments

Significant increase in non-cash payments creates a premise for banks to review their fees

March 29, 2013

Austria: Sale of Kommunalkredit Still in Limbo

Denationalization of Kommunalkredit not yet completed.

March 29, 2013

Cyprus: No Bank Run

The feared bank-run after the almost two-weeks long closing of the banks in Cyprus has not occured.

March 29, 2013

Czech Republic: Disinflation Continues

Analysts expect Czech economy to grow by 1.7 % next year.

March 29, 2013

Slovenia: Situation For Banks Still Shaky

According to the National Bank, the new government in Slovenia needs to avoid becoming the new setting of bail-out negotiations with the EU after the banking crisis in Cyprus.

March 28, 2013

Austria: Budget Deficit in 2012 Lower Than Expected

The country has reached a significantly lower deficit than the government had expected. According to Statistik Austria, the deficit was at 2.5 % of GDP in 2011, equaling € 7.7bn.

March 28, 2013

Cyprus: Trying to Avoid Chaos at Banks

Today, Cyprus‘ banks are supposed to be opened after almost two weeks of closing. The citizens are called for calm and there are limits for drawing money. The currency rate was downgraded to Caa2 by Moody’s.

March 28, 2013

CESEE: CR More Attractive for FDI Than SK

Foreign investors regard the Czech Republic more attractive than Slovakia.

March 27, 2013

Poland: VAT Expected to Remain At 23 %

Prime Minister Tusk announced that there will be no return to the 22 % VAT which was planned for 2014.

March 27, 2013

Cyprus: Mandatory Levy on Assets Not Yet Fixed

Banks in Cyprus will open again tomorrow, yet the capital flow is still limited. Dijsselbloem is criticized by the ECB. Bank employees demand Demetriades’ stepping down.

March 27, 2013

Moody’s Warns EU

The rating agency warns the EU governments about over-estimating the ability to overcome the Euro-crisis.

March 27, 2013

EU’s Austerity Cuts Adverse to Health

EU’s austerity measures negatively affect citizen’s health, is the result of a health study carried out by “The Lancet”. The Commission was supposed to examine the political effects.

March 27, 2013

Strikes Paralyze Poland

Protests against government’s changes in education, social and labor policy.

March 27, 2013

Czech Republic: EGAP Covered Exports of CZK 72bn

Minister of Industry and Trade, Martin Kuba says: EGAP will focus more on supporting small and medium-size enterprises

March 27, 2013

Hungary: Tax Overhaul Finalized

Minister for National Economy: taxation system completed - time for fine-tuning.

March 27, 2013

Dacic Meets Forbes

Serbia has good investment opportunities, according to Christopher Forbes.

March 27, 2013

Cyprus: Outflow of Billions of Euros Presumed

Investors in Cyprus could face haircuts up to 50 %. Parliamentary President, Omirou want to go into details about the alleged transfer of assets despite of the banks closing.

March 26, 2013

Hungary: MNB to Reduce Key Interest Rate

The Hungarian National Bank (MNB) lowered the key interest rate by 25 basis points down to 5.0 %. This is the eighth downgrade in a row.

March 26, 2013

Austria: Tax Burden Lessens With Higher Income

According to an OECD study only three industrialized nations (Austria, Germany and Spain) show a degressive tax system.

March 26, 2013

Poles Reject The Euro

According to polls, two thirds of polish citizens do not want to change the zloty for the Euro.

March 26, 2013