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Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic
Read the latest headlines about developments in Austrian politics with reference to the international interest


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


Commission Praises Croatia’s Progress

Croatia has fullfilled all criteria for the EU accession on July 1, 2013.
March 26, 2013


Czech Republic: Gazprom to Build New Gas Storage Tanks

Gazprom and MND Group are going to invest € 100m in a gas storage facility near the Austrian border.
March 26, 2013


Ukraine and Deutsche Bank Signed Agreement

In order to finance the reconstruction of gas transportation system of Ukraine last year a loan agreement between the Ukrainian "UkrTransGas" subsidiary company "Naftogaz of Ukraine" and Deutsche Bank was signed.
March 26, 2013


Dacic to Meet Head of EULEX Mission

International mission in Kosovo to ensure complete protection of all citizens.
March 26, 2013


Medvedev Vexed Over EU

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 25, 2013


Roiss: “A European Concept and Joint Investments Are Needed“

In an interview with the Austrian newpaper Kurier, CEO of OMV explains why Europe needs other sources of energy and why there is a growing competitive disadvantage compared with the USA.
March 25, 2013


Austria Ranks 4th in Labor Productivity.

According to a study carried out by Eurostat, Austria is among the Top 5 of the most productive countries in the EU. In the last 20 years, the country was able to increase labor productivity by 36.5 %.
March 25, 2013


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