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