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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
Orange to Withdraw from Austria?
Insiders report that the third-largest telecommunication service supplier in Austria may leave. The merger with Hutchison is in a critical condition.
October 4, 2012
Poland´s National Bank Holds Interest Rate
After analysts expected that the Polish NBP cut the interest rate, the decision to hold the rate at 4.75% came as a surprise.
October 4, 2012
EU as „Serbia´s Most Important Market“
The U.S. economist Paul Krugman thinks that Serbia´s future is the European Union. The EU is worried about the turn towards Russia.
October 4, 2012
Austrian Socialists Call for New Taxes
The governing SPÖ wants to introduce new property and inheritance taxes.
October 4, 2012
Austria: Tax Fraud on the Rise
VAT evasion will come at € 2.3bn year, experts say. This is an increase by 5%.
October 3, 2012
Nine Prime Minister Discuss EU Budget in Bratislava
The Prime Ministers of nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe will meet in the Slovak capital on October 5.
October 3, 2012
Slovakia Abolishes Flat Tax
Because of the austerity pressure, Slovakia gives up its flat tax. The corporation income tax rate increases to 23% from 19%.
October 3, 2012
IMF Puts Pressure on Slovenia
Slovenia is urged to implement quick reforms. Otherwise the country may have to be bailed out by the safety net.
October 3, 2012
Bulgaria: Bank Secret Wobbles
The Bulgarian National Bank warns of an easing of the bank secret. The Bulgarian Parliament argues that the bank secret protects money laundering activities.
October 3, 2012
Poland to Increase Flexibility of Labor Market
The Polish Ministry of Social Affairs prepares an “anti-crisis-package”.
October 3, 2012
Austrian Railways to be Privatized?
ÖVP (Austrian People´s Party) again pushes for a privatization of ÖBB (Austrian Railways). The sale of the freight division would be conceivable, ÖVP´s chairman Michael Spindelegger says.
October 2, 2012
Poland: Interest Cut Expected
The Polish National Bank NBP is anticipated to announce a cut in the base rate. At the moment, the base rate stands at 4.75%.
October 2, 2012
Slovakia: Budget Deficit Decreased Slightly
Last month, the Slovak state deficit was down to € 2.59bn. In August, the deficit stood at € 2.68bn.
October 2, 2012
Tax Deal with Switzerland: No Referendum
The opponents of the treaty between Austria and Switzerland could not collect enough votes. About 47,500 signatures could be collected.
October 2, 2012
Fekter: “Greece Shows Progress”
Austria´s Finance Minister praises Greece's efforts to improve its situation.
October 2, 2012
Financial Transaction Tax: Austrian Government Under Pressure
In its last austerity package, the Austrian government has anticipated a financial transaction tax to be introduced in 2014. The time pressure is growing.
October 2, 2012
Hungarian Budget Deficit Growing Quickly
According to preliminary data the deficit of the general government sector in the first half of 2012 was HUF 393 billion, 2.8% of GDP. Although the deficit is smaller than last year, the 2012 target will not be met.
October 2, 2012
Fekter Promotes Financial Transaction Tax
The Austrian Minister of Finance wrote a letter to the EU Commission. She argues that a financial transaction tax would be economically reasonable.
October 1, 2012
Slovenian Recession Aggravates
In 2012, the Slovenian economy is expected to shrink by 1.8%. Next year, Slovenia will not have reached the growth zone.
October 1, 2012
Austrian Budget Targets Will Not Hold
In August, Finance Minister Maria Fekter underlined that the budget deficit will not exceed 2.9% of GDP. Due to the banking package, the budget deficit will be higher, though.
October 1, 2012
Hungary: Budget Targets Endangered to Fail
In August, Hungary´s budget deficit has almost reached the full year´s level. Analysts doubt whether Hungary may achieve a 2.5% budget deficit this year.
October 1, 2012
Bank Secret: Semeta Criticizes Austria´s Position
According to the EU Commissioner Algirdas Semeta, Austria´s bank secret is “out-dated”. He criticizes that Austria and Luxembourg still reject to give up the bank secret.
October 1, 2012
Hungary Prohibits Slot Machines
According to Hungary´s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, the national security would be endangered.
October 1, 2012
Fekter Against Property Taxes
The Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter (ÖVP) would support an income tax reform. Property taxes would not be acceptable, she says.
September 29, 2012
Stronach Calls For 25% Flat Tax
The Austrian industrial and new party leader Frank Stronach wants a radical tax reform.
September 29, 2012
Sale of Kommunalkredit: First Offers Expected
The nationalized Austrian bank should be sold until June 2013. Next week, the first non-binding offers are expected.
September 29, 2012
Serbia Expects Rising Tax Intake
In order to meet demands of IMF, the Serbian Parliament approved the revised 2012 budget. The tax intake will not solve the country´s problems, economists consider.
September 29, 2012
Czech Deficit in 2013 at 2.9% of GDP
The Czech Government presented the budget bill for 2013. The Maastricht Criteria should be fulfilled.
September 29, 2012
Austrian Public Debt at 75% of GDP
Public Finances 2011: Public deficit at 2.5%, Public debt at 72.4% of GDP. In the first half of 2012, Austria´s public debt level grew by € 6bn.
September 28, 2012
Telekom Austria Aims to Expand in Southeastern Europe
Despite the decreasing sales and earnings, Telekom Austria sees substantial growth opportunities in the SEE region. Regarding the earnings situation, Ametsreiter expects a trend reversal.
September 28, 2012
Klaus: Exit Will Not Destroy Eurozone
The Czech President Vaclav Klaus says that a reduction of the member states will not destroy the Eurozone.
September 27, 2012
Austrian Central Bank Looks for New Governor
Next year, the mandates of the board of directors are expiring. Ewald Nowotny is said to be re-elected in his current position.
September 27, 2012
Czech National Bank Expects More Interest Rate Cuts
The governor of the Czech National Bank Miroslav Singer explained that the monetary easing program will continue.
September 27, 2012
Poland Continues Austerity Program
Today, the Polish Ministry of Finance has issued the government´s final budget bill for next year. The budget deficit is estimated to shrink slightly. Poland´s GDP Expected to Grow by 2.2% in 2013.
September 27, 2012
Slovenia “No Bail-Out Candidate”
Slovenia ´s former Prime Minister Anton Rop is optimistic that the country will manage the crisis.
September 27, 2012
Anzengruber: „Withdrawal from Turkey is no Issue Yet“
Wolfgang Anzengruber, CEO of the Austrian energy company Verbund, emphasizes that Turkey is a future market.
September 27, 2012
Spindelegger: "Political progress more urgently needed than ever before"
Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs meets President of the Palestinian National Authority Abbas and the Foreign Ministers of Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates in New York.
September 27, 2012
Stronach Founds New Party: „Historical Event“
The former CEO of the Canadian automotive group Magna has presented his new party “Team Stronach” today.
September 27, 2012
Serbia Asks China for Loan
The Serbian Minister of Finance Mladjan Dinkic asked the Chinese Exim Bank for a € 850m loan in order to realize construction projects. IMF is not satisfied with Serbia´s austerity policies yet.
September 26, 2012
Banking Package: Austrian Opposition Criticizes Government Sharply
Today, the Austrian Audit Court explained that costs may reach up to € 4.8bn.
September 26, 2012
Hungary: Simor Criticizes Interest Cut
The governor of Hungary´s National Bank Andras Simor warns of an increase in inflation.
September 26, 2012
Dacic: „Reforms, Attracting Investments and Starting EU Integration“
The Serbia Prime Minister Ivica Dacic underlined that the government will implement reforms in order to stop the economic crisis.
September 26, 2012
Hungary „Still Obtains Funding from the Financial Market“
Vince Szalay-Bobrovniczky, the Hungarian ambassador in Vienna, emphasized that Hungary is not dependent on the IMF loan. The IMF urges Hungary to reduce its bureaucracy, he says.
September 26, 2012
Latvian Government Intends to Join the Eurozone in 2014
Despite the skeptical citizens of Latvia and the crisis in the Eurozone, the Latvian government wants to introduce the euro in 2014.
September 26, 2012
Crucial Days for Slovenia
This week, Slovenia´s Parliament may decide on establishing a bad bank. After Prime Minister Janez Jansa warned of a national bankruptcy, the Slovenian opposition is under pressure.
September 26, 2012
Banking Package: Costs up to € 4.8bn
The Austrian Audit Court expects that the banking package will be much more expensive than it was said before. Moreover, the Audit Court criticizes the government massively. The control mechanism would be too weak.
September 26, 2012
Austria´s Finance Minister Delighted at Positive Moody's Rating
Maria Fekter: “Our Triple A confirms the reform path we have embarked upon.”
September 26, 2012
“European Union Not Endangered”
Austrian Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger defends the euro at the renowned US university Harvard and emphasises Austria’s performance on the international stage
September 26, 2012
OMV Considers Joining Tanap
The Austrian oil and gas company intends to invest up to $ 7.0bn in the Turkish-Azeri project.
September 25, 2012
Poland: Joining Eurozone After Crisis
For the governor of the National Bank of Poland Marek Belka, entering the Eurozone is conceivable as soon as the Eurozone has recovered.
September 25, 2012
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