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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


Slovenia: Bratusek New Head of Government

Today, Slovenia´s Lower House of Parliament has elected a new Prime Minister. Janez Jansa continues to manage the government business.
February 27, 2013


Slovakia: Economic Growth Almost Coming to Still-Stand

Growth estimates are lower than predicted by NBS. Export sales lag behind and the domestic economy is in a recession. Opposing parties blame the new labor regulations.
February 27, 2013


Slovenia: Jansa Remains Prime Minister

Today, Slovenia´s Parliament will elect a new official head of government. However, Jansa will continue the government business.
February 27, 2013


Euro Adoption: Poland Has No Fixed Date Yet

For the time being, Poland wants to meet the Maastricht Criteria. The date for entering the Eurozone will be fixed in 2015.
February 27, 2013


Slovakia: Unemployment Rate Reaches All-time High

Prime Minister Fico blames stagnating economy for highest unemployment rate since 2004.
February 27, 2013


Slovakia Transforms Banks into Branches

The draft amendment to the Banking Act will not affect competition, the National Bank of Slovakia said.
February 27, 2013


Ukraine and EU Signed Memorandum of Understanding and Loan Agreement

Memorandum for the stability of Ukraine’s finance and economy was signed on the EU-Ukraine Summit.
February 27, 2013


Hungary Cuts Interest Rate

Due to the economic crisis, Hungary´s National Bank (MNB) has lowered the interest rate from 5.50% to 5.25%.
February 26, 2013


Austria Stresses Importance of Human Rights Conference

Austrian Foreign Ministry: "Carry on from the outcome of the World Conference on Human Rights 1993".
February 26, 2013


Poland: Economy Seems to Recover Again

Marek Belka, head of NBP, assumes that the worst part for Poland’s economy might be over.
February 26, 2013


CEZ: Czech Republic Calls Brussels for Help

After the Czech energy group CEZ has lost its license in Bulgaria, the Czech government wants Brussels to put pressure on Sofia.
February 25, 2013


Austria: Economic Outlook Remains Cautious

Although Austria´s economy suffers from a number of major defects, the performance is still better than in the Eurozone.
February 25, 2013


Poland: Rostowki’s Fight for the Euro

Even though Poland’s rating outlook has been revised from “A-“ to “A” by Fitch it still has to face political reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness.
February 24, 2013


Bulgaria: Protests Continue in Sofia and Varna

Bulgarian political decisions are afflicted by extreme unpopularity as almost 60 % of the population suffers from immediate poverty. Riots continue in Sofia and Varna.
February 24, 2013


Austria Become Second Most Important Trading Partner for Hungary

Last year, only the foreign trade volume between Hungary and Germany was higher. Peter Szijjarto, spokesman of Prime Minister Viktor Orban´s party Fidesz says.
February 23, 2013


Austria: Felderer Warns of Property Taxes

The economist believes that already the discussion about property taxes is damaging the Austrian business location.
February 23, 2013


Poland: Nuclear Power Plant Project Wobbles

Poland´s Treasury Minister Mikolaj Budzanowski explained that Poland cannot afford the nuclear power plant.
February 23, 2013


EU Financial Framework: Romania Is a Clear Winner

In the financial period from 2014 to 2020, Romania would be able to receive EUR 39.2bn from the European Union.
February 23, 2013


Ukrainian Banking Sector Shows Small Progress

NBU, the National Bank of Ukraine stresses that deposits and lending is growing decently. The inflation remains low.
February 22, 2013


“No further tightening of corporate credit conditions”

The Hungarian National Bank has today published the results of its latest lending survey. The survey conducted in January 2013 found that credit conditions for non-financial corporations had not been tightened further.
February 22, 2013


Situation in Bulgaria Remains Tense

After the resignation of the Bulgarian government, the political atmosphere is at a tipping point. The protests continue and are broadening.
February 21, 2013


Poland: Rostowski Becomes Deputy Prime Minister

Poland´s government has completed a government reshuffle. Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski was promoted to Donald Tusk´s Deputy Prime Minister.
February 21, 2013


Romania: Key Rate to Remain Unchanged

“In line with our expectations and market consensus, the central bank remained on hold at its latest monetary policy meeting (5 February)”, Raiffeisen Research reports.
February 21, 2013


Ukraine: Hryvnia Expected to Weaken Slightly

Hryvnia enjoyed good support at the market in early 2013 amid diminished depreciation expectations and accelerated debt inflows, Raiffeisen Research reports.
February 21, 2013


Poland: Rostowski Wants to Cut the Interest Rates

According to Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski, the real interest rates are still too high. Rostowski wants to boost economic growth.
February 21, 2013


IMF Visits Croatia Again

A Mission of the International Monetary Fund, led by Nikolay Gueorguiev, arrived in Croatia for its usual semi-annual visit.
February 21, 2013


Austria: Controversy About Property Taxes

According to Christian Keuschnigg, director of IHS, property taxes would have a negative impact on economic growth and the employment situation.
February 20, 2013


Ukraine: Budget Deficit Grows Considerably

General government deficit increased to 5.5% of GDP in 2012 (from 4.2% in 2011) amid feeble tax revenue performance, Raiffeisen Research says.
February 20, 2013


Vienna´s Position as CEE-Hub Is Endangered

The number of multinational companies which withdraw their sub-headquarters from Vienna is growing, experts say.
February 20, 2013


Ukraine: Deal With IMF to be Cut in Summer

The visit of IMF mission to Kyiv did not bring the immediate results. Raiffeisen Research expects the negotiations to be rather prolonged.
February 20, 2013


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