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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
Poland: Public Debt Level Shrinks Slightly
At the end of 2012, the public debt level came at 53% of GDP. One year before, the quota stood at 53.5%.
January 3, 2013
Hungary: Public Deficit Declines
The deficit of the general government sector fell by 3.1 percentage points in the 3rd quarter of 2012.
January 3, 2013
Austrian FMA Sharpens Lending Rules for Foreign Currency Loans
The Austrian Financial Market Authority changes the rules for banks which grant foreign currency loans.
January 2, 2013
“We Must Work Until 70”
In an interview with the Austrian news magazine “Standard”, the pension expert Christopher Prinz explains that an increase of the retirement age is inevitable.
January 2, 2013
“Eurobonds Are Wrong Signal”
2013 - After crisis management it is now time to tackle issues of the future, Austria´s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.
December 31, 2012
Bulgaria: Budget Deficit Lower than Planned
Bulgaria´s budget deficit is expected to reach about 1.0% of GDP.
December 30, 2012
Poland Promotes Privatizations
This year, Poland´s revenues from privatizations total more than € 2.3bn.
December 30, 2012
Equity Market: Erste Group Cautiously Optimistic
Earnings are expected to grow again, but vulnerabilities remain. The global debt crisis remains unsolved, Erste Group says.
December 29, 2012
Outlook: Europe Remains Under Threat
The European debt crisis will remain a major issue, Austrian Erste Group says.
December 28, 2012
Ukraine: Gold Reserves Gain in Importance
The share of monetary gold in Ukraine’s international reserves has almost doubled.
December 28, 2012
Nowotny Puts Pressure on Austrian Government
Ewald Nowotny, governor of Austrian National Bank (OeNB) wants the Austrian government to continue the austerity course.
December 28, 2012
Austria´s Public Debt Level Continues to Increase
The quarterly government debt quota in the third quarter of 2012 has reached 73.7% of GDP. In total, the debt volume reaches € 227bn.
December 28, 2012
Czech Republic Does Not Fulfill Maastricht Criteria
At the moment, joining the eurozone is no issue for the Czech Republic. The stability criteria are still not fulfilled anyway.
December 28, 2012
Slovenia: Sustersic Rules Out Coming Under Rescue Umbrella
In an interview with the Austrian news magazine “Standard”, Slovenia´s Minister of Finance Janez Sustersic says that his country is not candidate for the safety net ESM.
December 28, 2012
Lithuania: Budget Finally Approved
Lithuania´s President Dalia Grybauskaite confirmed the 2013 budget.
December 28, 2012
„We Have to Work Longer“
Christian Keuschnigg, director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) demonstrates optimism.
December 27, 2012
WIFO: „Shut Down Hypo Group“
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) recommends closing the nationalized banking group. The number of banks is expected to shrink radically.
December 27, 2012
Hungarian Government „Do Not Need Help from IMF“
Hungary´s Minister of Economics György Matolcsy argues that his country has never needed a loan from the IMF.
December 22, 2012
Nabucco: Official Approval in Bulgaria
Bulgarian Ministry approves Nabucco National Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
December 22, 2012
Government Crisis in Czech Republic
After the new Minister of Defence was removed, the coalition collapses.
December 21, 2012
Czech Parliament Resolves VAT Increase
After months of controversies, the Czech Chamber of Deputies approved the government´s taxation plans.
December 21, 2012
Czech Republic: Euro Introduction No Issue Yet
The Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas explained that the Czech Republic does not strive for becoming a member of the Eurozone.
December 21, 2012
Switzerland Ratifies Tax Treaty with Austria
Switzerland has approved the tax deal with Austria and the UK. The treaty will come into force by January 2013.
December 20, 2012
Bank Taxes: RZB Records Costs of € 168m
For Austrian RZB (Raiffeisen Zentralbank), bank taxes in Austria, Hungary and Slovakia come at € 168m. RZB will not leave Hungary, CEO Rothensteiner says.
December 20, 2012
Voestalpine Leaves Europe Step by Step
The Austrian steel company wants to reduce the dependence on Europe. Growth will take place elsewhere, CEO Wolfgang Eder says.
December 20, 2012
Poland: Recovery in Mid-2013
Poland´s new Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechocinski forecasts an upward trend beginning in the second half of next year.
December 20, 2012
Slovenia: No Referenda Against Austerity Policy
The Slovenian Constitutional Court decided that the Slovenians will not hold a public vote on the creation of a bad bank and the privatization policy.
December 20, 2012
Czech Republic: Interest Rate Remains Unchanged
The council of CNB (Czech National Bank) decided to let the interest rate at 0.05%.
December 19, 2012
Poland and Hungary to Cut Interest Rates Further
Unlike the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary still have some downward potential. The inflation rate is still below the base rate.
December 19, 2012
Austrian Government Adopts new Development Programme
The Ministerial Council today adopted the three-year programme of Austrian development cooperation for the period 2013 - 2015. "
December 19, 2012
Ukraine: Fiscal Policy Faces Unsolved Problems
The budget draft for 2013 provides no room for the fiscal consolidation, which looks incompatible with the IMF requirements.
December 19, 2012
Komorowski: “Poland Needs Euro”
Poland´s President Bronislaw Komorowski wants his country to join the Eurozone. Now, the government has to convince the people, he says.
December 19, 2012
Slovenia: Citizens Protest Against Austerity Cuts
The austerity policy of the centre-right government faces fierce resistance by the trade union and citizen´s movements.
December 18, 2012
Public Debt Committee Warns Austrian Government
2013 will be dangerous for Austria´s austerity course, the economist Bernhard Felderer says.
December 18, 2012
CESEE: Poverty Grows Considerably
In Europe, one in four citizens is affected by poverty, the Russian newspaper “Rossijskaja Gaseta” states.
December 18, 2012
Ukraine: Reform Pressure Grows
Mykola Azarov is reappointed as Prime-minister, facing tough challenges ahead, Raiffeisen Research states.
December 18, 2012
Annual Assembly of the Municipal Councillors for European Affairs in Vienna
At the second general assembly of the members of the initiative of Municipal Councillors for European Affairs held at Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna today, the 500th member of the initiative was welcomed.
December 18, 2012
"Austria pushes international development agenda ahead"
Austrian State Secretary discusses continuation of the Rio process with UN Under-Secretary General.
December 18, 2012
Austria´s EU Contributions to Increase Substantially
Austria is expected not only to lose its discount, but also to receive lower subsidies.
December 18, 2012
Rostowski: “Poland Will Enter Eurozone as soon as Possible”
Poland´s Minister of Finance Jacek Rostowski announced that his country wants to become a member of the Eurozone. However, the problems of the Eurozone must be solved before, he said.
December 18, 2012
Ponta to Remain as Prime Minister
Despite heavy dispute with Ponta, Romania´s President Traian Basescu announced to swear him as Prime Minister. Basescu has no other choice.
December 17, 2012
Sale of Kommunalkredit to Be Postponed
The sale of the Austrian nationalized bank will not be sold by the end of the year. Austria´s Ministry of Finance postpones the signing by three months.
December 17, 2012
S&P Downgrades Croatia
Croatia´s Minister of Finance Slavko Linic does not exclude that Croatia needs support from the IMF next year.
December 17, 2012
OECD Criticizes Gender Pay Gap in Austria
Although the education level of women has improved in the last decades, a greater education attainment level of women is not matched with labour market outcomes, OECD says.
December 17, 2012
Lopatka: “Communitisation of debts is the wrong message”
State Secretary Lopatka lacks understanding for proposals made by Federal Chancellor Faymann.
December 17, 2012
Austrian Competition Authority May Prevent Orange-Takeover
This week, the EU-Commission has approved the acquisition of the third-biggest telecommunication company by Hutchison Austria. Austria´s BWB (Federal Competition Authority) is seen as risk factor.
December 15, 2012
WIFO: South Europe Needs New Industrial Policy
The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) stresses that Spain, Greece and Portugal need new growth measures instead of austerity cuts.
December 15, 2012
Kazakhstan: „Among the Top 30 in 2050“
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev predicts an economic boom in the next decades.
December 15, 2012
Banking Union: Czech Republic Cautious
For the time being, the Czech Republic will not join the single supervising mechanism.
December 15, 2012
Austrian Municipalities: Real Deficit Ahead
Until 2016, Austrian municipalities expect that the financial resources for investments and debt reduction will decrease.
December 14, 2012
