Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

Hungary: Demonstrations in Budapest

Protests against the planned constitutional amendmends took place on Saturday, March 9. US and EU express their concern about the political developments.

March 9, 2013

Bulgaria: „Eagle’s Bridge“-Protests Start Today

Other meetings of protest representatives are taking place in Gabrov today to elect a committee for further negotiations with government.

March 9, 2013

Austria: Opposition Puts Forward Constitutional Challenge

Fiscal Pact undermines sovereignty of parliament and forces the country to severe austerity measures.

March 9, 2013

Montenegro: Knocking on Brussels’ Door

In an interview with the Austrian newspaper Presse, state secretary for European integratition and Montenegro’s chief negotiator Aleksandar Pejovic informs when his country is ready to join the EU.

March 9, 2013

Hungary: Austrian Farmers on the Verge of Dispossession

A new regulation should help Hungarians prevent from "greedy speculators".

March 8, 2013

Serbia: Number of Dwellings Rose Substantially

Today, the Serbian Statistical Office has published the Census of Population, Households and Dwellings.

March 8, 2013

Belgrade Initiative to Support Serbia´s Financial System

The first meeting of the Belgrade Initiative, a host country cross-border banking forum, was held in Belgrade today.

March 8, 2013

Macedonia: Protests Against Government

Young Albanians protest against an „Anti-Albanian“ policy.

March 8, 2013

Czech Republic: Erste Group Cutting More Jobs

Because Erste Group has to save CZK 1bn (€ 39m) this year, economy measures need to be taken.

March 8, 2013

Austria: Negative Outlook for Banks

Moody’s current analysis paints a rather bleak picture about the situation of the Austrian banking industry.

March 8, 2013

CZ: President Klaus Leaving Presidential Office

After having been in office for ten years, Czech President Vaclav Klaus left Prague Castle. Today, Friday March 8, his sucessor Milos Zeman is going to be sworn in.

March 8, 2013

Bulgaria/Romania: Schengen-Entry Postponed

The two countries will not become part of the Schengen-zone in 2013. EU interior ministers meet to discuss problem of “social tourism”.

March 7, 2013

Austria: Hypo Managing Board Warns of Losses

Hypo Group’s managers fear that selling the bank precipitately might lead to additional losses up to € 5bn for the bank and federal state.

March 7, 2013

CSA: Korean Air as Only Bidder

The Korean airline company aims to take over the publicly held stake in Czech Airlines (CSA). Korean Air only offers € 2.64m.

March 7, 2013

Slovenian National Bank: “GDP Decline in Line with Expectations”

The Governing Board of the Bank of Slovenia discussed current economic and financial developments.

March 7, 2013

Austria: Elsner Files Lawsuit in US Supreme Court

Former BAWAG CEO Helmut Elsner filed a lawsuit over $ 1.8bn against members of the Austrian Social Democrat party (SPÖ).

March 7, 2013

"Strict financial audits enhance trust in administrative bodies"

Symposium of international courts of auditors discusses citizens' participation in Vienna.

March 7, 2013

Austria: Minor Increase of Age for Pension

Despite of reforms concerning the pension system and a raise for the pension entitlement, only a slight increase was noticed.

March 7, 2013

Slovenia/Croatia: Agreement over Bank Dispute

After years of debate, there seem to be a final agreement in the fight for the insolvent Ljubljanska Banka. The settlement should pave the way for Croatia’s becoming an EU member state.

March 7, 2013

Hungary: Incoming National Economy Minister Summarizes Targets

Succeeding Minister of National Economy Mihály Varga outlined economic policy cornerstones

March 7, 2013

Hungary: Expropriation of Foreign Farmers

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced further steps and plans the dispossession of foreign investors.

March 7, 2013

Lithuania: Cashing in Eurobonds to Decrease Public Debt

The finance ministry of Lithuania declared to having redeemed the second large Eurobond issue today and reduced its public debt by € 1 bn.

March 7, 2013

Leitl: "Restructuring Instead of Cashing in"

Christoph Leitl, head of WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce), dismisses further plans for a tax hike. The outcome would be fatal and the economy exposed to threats.

March 6, 2013

Bulgaria: Still Fighting Minimal Growth and Weak Economy

The Balkan country has the lowest living standards in the EU and the population’s frustration over its failure to improve the economic situation led to mass protests.

March 6, 2013

Poland: NBP Cuts Interest Rate to Record Low

The council of fiscal policy has cut interests rate down to 3.25 % which is the lowest since Poland’s democratic turnaround in 1989.

March 6, 2013

Hungary: Highest Loss in Real Wages in Five Years

Gross salaries increased 4.6 % while net income only saw moderate rise at 2 % in 2012.

March 6, 2013

Slovakia: Growing Lack of Interest about Occurances in EU

The Slovak population has apparently lost its enthousiasm about EU politics. According to polls, only 40 % say they were interested in the current events.

March 6, 2013

Austrian Development Funds: Programme Approved

“ADA has over 110 million euros funding for operative development cooperation work in 2013” the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

March 6, 2013

Bulgaria: Electricity Rate to be Reduced by 7 %

Experts still fear that the reduction in electricity prices will not help stopping protests.

March 6, 2013

Last Meeting between Klaus and Gasparovic

The Presidents of the Czech Republic and of Slovakia will have a last meeting tomorrow.

March 5, 2013

Hungary: GKI Forecasts Budget Deficit of HUF 200 bn

The Hungarian government is in complete opposite to GKI’s statement: forecasts economic growth of 1 % and does not see any concerns.

March 5, 2013

Poland: Government Retains Economic Forecast

Despite the economic slowdown, Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski demonstrates optimism.

March 5, 2013

Slovenia: New Government to be Built

Until March 14, the new administration should be nominated. However, 32 % think that the new head of government will not be able to form a government.

March 5, 2013

Czech Republic Eases Austerity Policy

In order to boost economic growth, the Czech government tends to refrain from the strict austerity course.

March 5, 2013

Bulgaria: Protests About to Escalate

The political frustration of Bulgaria’s population comes to new high as the promised reduction of energy prices stays out.

March 5, 2013

Latvia: Letter Requesting the Convergence Report is Signed

The Baltic country wants to become a member of the Eurozone by 2014.

March 5, 2013

Bulgaria: Eagles Briges Civic Association To Be Found in Sofia

Protesters are gathering in the Arena Armeets Hall to differentiate their pleas.

March 4, 2013

Latvia: Eager for the Euro. But ready?

Latvia’s leadership considers adopting the Euro in 2015 or 2016. Despite of showing the fastest economic growth rate at 5.1 % in Europe, there is scepticism Latvian population.

March 4, 2013

Serbia: No Solution to Kosovo Issue Yet

At today’s trilateral meetings in Brussels for the sequel talks about the association Serb municipalities in Kosovo a gloomy atmosphere between the parties is predominant. Neither Serbia nor Kosovo want to step down from their claims.

March 4, 2013

Mixed Outlook for Russia

This year, Russia´s GDP will grow by 3.3%, the World Bank predicts. Regarding economic reforms, Russia must improve its effort, though.

March 4, 2013

Czech Republic: CNB Fights Against Recession

As the interest rate was cut to a technical zero, the Czech National Bank considers intervening against the crown.

March 4, 2013

Romania/Bulgaria: Germany Plans Veto against Schengen Entry

According to the journal “Spiegel”, the German government does not regard the two countries as Schengen-worthy.

March 4, 2013

Belka and Rostowski “Time to Move Up a Gear”

Governor of NBP (National Bank of Poland) Marek Belka and Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski want to accelerate Poland´s approach to the Eurozone.

March 4, 2013

Bulgaria: Budget Balance Negative

The budget balance under the Consolidated Fiscal Programme (CFP) as of end-January 2013 is negative, amounting to BGN 536.5 million.

March 4, 2013

“I do not expect for crediting requirements to tighten”

There is no reason for crediting requirements to be tightened, Zoran Stavreski, Macedonia´s Minister of Finance says.

March 4, 2013

Turkey: Erdogan Arouses Harsh Criticism by Equaling Fascism and Zionism

At the UN conference in Vienna Turkeys Prime Minister obtained harsh criticism for his speech. The UN distanced itself from the statements.

March 2, 2013

Austria: Government Adheres to Zero Deficit in 2016

Although the economic development is behind the expectations, the government wants to achieve a budget surplus in 2017.

March 2, 2013

Romania: Corlatean Questions Admittance to Schengen-Agreement

Exterior minister Corlatean shows no more interest in Romania’s joining the Schengen-zone. Several member states disapprove of this idea.

March 2, 2013

Romania As Risk Factor for Austria´s Public Finance

The partly nationalized Austrian banking group VBAG faces difficulties in Romania. The Austrian Ministry of Finance tries to prevent further capital injections into VBAG.

March 2, 2013

Does the Hungarian Telecommunication Sector Face Nationalizations?

According to rumors, Hungary´s government plans to nationalize the Hungarian subsidiary of the telecommunication operator Vodafone.

March 2, 2013