Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

Austria: Highest Rate of Foreign-Currency Debts

No other country in Europe exhibits such a high amount of private foreign currency credit users. In 2014, when the next wave of repayments is due many debtors might be in for a shock.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Bail-Out Package Accepted

Cyprus has been granted the € 10bn worth aid package by the EU. After ten hours of negotiations in Brussels the decision was made early this morning. Assets below € 100,000 will not be taxed.

March 25, 2013

Lithuania: Problem with Ūkio Bankas Solved

The newest Lithuanian financial market data show that the market participants positively assessed the solution chosen by the Bank of Lithuania to deal with the problem of Ūkio bankas.

March 25, 2013

Croatia: Sluggish Economic Recovery

The improvement in the financing conditions in international financial markets in the second half of 2012 mitigated the risks to Croatias financial stability to an extent.

March 25, 2013

Cyprus: Agreement on Bank Asset Tax

Today, the Cyprian government has come to a solution on the compulsory charges on bank accounts.

March 23, 2013

Cyprus: Votes on Mandatory Levy

In case the government will not come to conclusion how to generate the required money (€ 5.8bn), the ECB will cut off the money supply for Cyprus’ ramshackle banks.

March 23, 2013

“Polish Economy Continues to Enjoy Full Trust of Foreign Markets”

Polands Finance Minister is satisfied with the result of the auction of Polish bonds issued earlier this week.

March 23, 2013

Russia Enhances Oil Supply to China

Experts describe the dealings as a community of purpose rather than a sign of improved relations.

March 23, 2013

"Croatia Will Not Benefit From Joining The EU"

Croatia will join the European Union as the 28th member state in a few months. Economists criticize the country for not carrying out enough reforms and only focusing on tourism.

March 22, 2013

Hungary: In a Debt Crisis Soon?

New all-time high in debts was reported. Hungarian populations hopes for fast political turn-around.

March 22, 2013

Fekter: “Austrians can rest easy knowing that their bank deposits are safe.”

Current situation in Cyprus is an exceptional case and not comparable in any way with Austria.

March 22, 2013

Austria to Reform Pension Plan Scheme

Roundtable symposium at Ministry of Finance on reform of private pension plan scheme

March 22, 2013

Romania: Pensions Increased by 3.4 %

By a year-on-year basis, pensions in Romania increased in the forth quarter of 2012 by 3.4 % coming up to 786 lei. Out of the total number of pensioniers, 86.1 % receive benefits from the state social insurance.

March 22, 2013

Poland’s Finance Minister Shows Optimism

Deputy Finance Minister Majszczyk announced that Poland will not exeed the planned budget deficit and forcasts economic growth for the second half of the year.

March 22, 2013

Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today

After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.

March 22, 2013

Medvedev: Harsh Criticism For EU At Conference in Poland

At a two day’s international press convention for EU journalists, Russian Prime Minister Medvedev has highlighted the improved political and economic interaction between Russia and Poland. However, he critized the EU on its Cyprus-politics.

March 21, 2013

Belgrade Considers Conditions Unacceptable

The sudden failure to reach a final conclusion to the Kosovo-issue puts a dampener on Serbia’s way towards the EU.

March 21, 2013

Part-Time Jobs Increase While Full-Time Jobs Are Axed

Figures in the labor market were not very satisfying due to the economy being affected by the crisis. The unemployment rate in Austria increased in 2012 more rapidly than in 2011, according to international calculations.

March 21, 2013

Hypo Group’s Silence Bewilders Bayern LB

Bayern LB is puzzled as to why former affiliate, Carithian Hypo Group, has not shown any efforts to state their position before court.

March 21, 2013

RBI to Acquire More Clients in Romania

RBI (Raiffeisen Bank International) is attaining a portfolio of private clients by Citibank via affiliate Raiffeisen Bank S. A.

March 21, 2013

Slight Improvement for Austria’s Economy in 2013/14

IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) and Wifo (Austrian Institute of Economic Research) forecast a sluggish growth for Austrian’s economy.

March 21, 2013

Hungary: Gross Earnings Increased Marginally

In the national economy – at corporations employing at least 5 persons, budgetary and designated non-profit institutions – average gross earnings increased by 2.5%, while net earnings excluding family tax benefits grew by 3.9% compared to 2011.

March 21, 2013

Cyprus: No Hope in Sight Yet

It is still uncertain if an agreement with Russia about the sale of gas fields can be found. President of the EU commission has joined the talks in Moscow.

March 20, 2013

FCC to Cut Down On Manpower

Alpine’s parent company, Spanish construction enterprise FCC is going to cut back on 1,000 jobs. Furthermore, company shares that are not part of the core business in the amount of € 2.2bn are supposed to be sold.

March 20, 2013

Hungary: Personnel Purge at MNB

New govenor of the Hungarian Central Bank (MNB) György Matolcsy continues his purge.

March 20, 2013

Austria Showing Less Reforming Zeal

According to the so-called „D-A-CH-Reformbarometer“, a study which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, Austria’s will to reform has diminished.

March 20, 2013

Time Is Running Out Fast for Serbia and Kosovo

It is probably one of the last chances for Serbia and Kosovo to make progresses for EU rapproachment.

March 20, 2013

Ukraine: Not Enough Progress

According to an evaluating report of the EU, Ukraine does not show enough progress in reforms.

March 20, 2013

Cyprus Appeals for Help to Russia

In a vote on Tuesday the government has decided not to use the private money of Cyprus‘ citizens to help bail out the banks. After the rejection, the EU aid package is now off. Cyprus hopes rest on Russia at this point.

March 20, 2013

Cyprus: Parliament Rejects EU Bail-Out Package

Not a single member of the Cyprian parliament has voted in favor of the controversial plan where a compulsary levy for all creditors was planned.

March 19, 2013

Austria: How to Keep Enterprises (from Drifting Away)

At the moment, there is a subtle fear in Austria’s economy that large enterprises are going to outsource to foreign countries which is currently the case with voestalpine.

March 19, 2013

Austria: Welfare Fraud Costs € 1bn Per Year

According to a study, which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and carried out by the Johannes-Kepler University in Linz, social fraud causes a smaller amount of economic damage than fiscal evation and black labor.

March 19, 2013

Russia: Gazprom Runs the Risk of Losing Market Shares

According to the newspaper “RBC Daily”, Gazprom stands to lose a further market share for gas supply as German energy enterprises are prompting the government to start producing shale gas.

March 19, 2013

EVN to Start Arbitration Procedure

Today, Austrian power supply company EVN informed the state of Bulgaria about opening arbitration proceedings.

March 19, 2013

Cyprus: Small Investors To Be Excluded From Tax

After protests among Cyprus‘ citizens arised and harsh criticism was expressed, the government now intends to exclude small savers from the compulsary tax and grant them a relief.

March 19, 2013

Austria: Increasing Demand in Flats

Half of the required flats in Austria are missed in Vienna. Experts have long forcasted the growing need in newly constructed buildings particularly in the city centers.

March 18, 2013

EU Budget to be Increased

Because of Croatia’s EU entry on July 1, 2013 the budget has to be elevated

March 18, 2013

Czech Republic: Opposition Rejects Austerity Measures

Opposition leader Sobotka was re-elected last Friday as chairman of the Social Democrats. In an interview with Reuters he explains why the government needs to slow down on austerity measures.

March 18, 2013

Poland: Tusk Appears Optimistic On 2013 Budget

Prime Minister, Donald Tusk remains hopeful on fulfilling the 2013 budget criteria, despite of a disadvantageous macro economical outlook.

March 18, 2013

Slovakia: Fico’s Plans For The Future

In a speech at the congress of the Czech senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) on Saturday, Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico explained his future plans.

March 18, 2013

Hungary: Dissatisfaction Towards Government Grows

Right-wing leader Viktor Orban has been in parliament for almost three years. But the promised reforms and changes to improve the economic situation came to nothing. Protests are arising.

March 18, 2013

Austria: Investigation Against VBAG Board Members

The Austrian Justice is currently investigating a case of the Austrian Volksbanken AG (VBAG) where three former board members are accused of having forged balance sheets. Board director CEO Michael Mendel is not among the suspects.

March 18, 2013

Cyprus: Parliament Votes Tomorrow For Rescue Package

The Cyprian parliament is unlikely to vote in favor for the rescue package which forces bank clients to contribute with their private money.

March 18, 2013

Hungary: New Interest Rate Cuts Ahead

Since the beginning of March, Hungary´s National Bank MNB has a new governor. The government wants MNB to lower the base rate further.

March 16, 2013

CSA: Korean Air Gets In

The South Korean airline will take over the publicly held stake in the loss-making Czech carrier.

March 16, 2013

Spindelegger Criticizes Orban Sharply

Austria´s Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger wants Hungary to “return to the European legal basis”.

March 16, 2013

Austria Pays Almost € 300m in Greek Aid

Eurosystem gives away profits from support operations of Greek government bonds. € 281m comes from Austria.

March 16, 2013

Historical Moment for Serbia And Kosovo

Both governments have come to an agreement, similar to the Treaty on the Basis of Relations (Basic Treaty) between the two German states.

March 16, 2013

Cyprus to Receive € 10bn in EU Aid Money

Russia being the biggest investor in Cyprus offered extension of credits. In return, austerity measures and reforms are demanded.

March 16, 2013

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