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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
Economic Council Met for the First Time
Representatives from business and politics came together in the Federal Chancellery. The round of talks will be held three to four times a year.
July 4, 2011
ÖBB’s Debt Will Amount to € 30bn in 2020
Large infrastructure development projects will almost double the Austrian Federal Railways’ debt. In relation to other European countries, Austria spends the second highest amount per capita on the expansion of rail networks.
July 4, 2011
Foreign Trade: € 35m for Promotion of Exports
82% of Austrian exports go to other European countries. The state and the Economic Chamber start a new initiative to increase trade with BRIC countries.
July 4, 2011
Moody’s Gives Negative Outlook for Carinthia
Austria’s southernmost province received a negative outlook due to an increasing budget deficit, high debt and credit guarantees for Hypo Alpe Adria.
July 1, 2011
New Employment Record in June
The number of unemployed fell by 2.3% to 268,866 in June. The positive development has lasted for 16 months already.
July 1, 2011
Austrian Government Debt Grew to € 210bn
Debt of the federal sector increased by € 6.3bn, while all other sectors registered a decline. Social insurance carriers’ debt fell by 32%.
June 30, 2011
Retirement Provisioning: Austrians Put aside € 63 per Month
Retirement provisioning study 2011: Austrians prefer low-risk investments. 58% rely on the financial knowledge of their bank account managers.
June 29, 2011
Slight Decline in Company Insolvencies
Private insolvencies are on the rise, while the number of companies filing for bankruptcy is falling moderately.
June 28, 2011
“We Need to Increase Support for SME”
Experts say the government’s efforts for increasing the research quota are half-hearted. € 600m per year would be necessary to achieve the target.
June 24, 2011
Constitutional Court Cancels Starting Date of New Capital Gains Tax
The Court has no objections to the new capital gains tax itself. Only the starting date for automatic collection by the banks was declared unconstitutional.
June 24, 2011
Austrians Support Aid for Greece
The majority of the Austrian population does not want to let Greece down. 55% see the common currency at risk.
June 22, 2011
Almost One Million Shareholders in Austria
Compared internationally, the Austrian population has a very low interest in the stock market. Only 13% invest in shares or funds.
June 21, 2011
Retail Sector: New Discussion about Sunday Opening
The current dispute is about the right to open shops on certain lucrative Sundays. The operator of a shopping center has brought in an action at the Constitutional Court.
June 20, 2011
Patent Protection to Become Cheaper
In Europe patent protection is currently ten times more expensive than in the US or Japan. Austria will participate in an EU-wide cooperation which will reduce the cost significantly.
June 20, 2011
IMF Calls for More Ambitious Budgetary Consolidation
Austria was asked to make higher efforts to reduce its debt. The IMF recommends savings in the pension and health care systems as well as lower state subsidies in next year’s budget.
June 14, 2011
Massive Drop in Trading at the Vienna Stock Exchange
Trading volume slumped by 42% to € 4.4bn as a result of the new capital gains tax on securities. The proportion of Austrian investors fell to 26%.
June 9, 2011
ÖBB: Opposition to Privatization Plans
Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter has sparked a debate about the railway company’s future. Her plans have been criticized from many sides.
June 6, 2011
Swiss Expert Criticizes Austria’s Role in International Money Laundering
OECD expert: “Austria is used as a gateway for international money laundering. It is doing too little to fight the phenomenon.” Only twelve convictions were made in 2009.
May 26, 2011
Slight Decline in OeNB’s Profit in 2010
The Austrian national bank's operating profit came to € 291m in the previous year. € 269m will be paid to the central government.
May 26, 2011
„Austria Is Losing Its Competitiveness“
The Industrial Association’s president sees a “dramatic deterioration” of Austria’s competitiveness as a business location and criticizes a lack of respect for industrialists.
May 18, 2011
Industrial Association Demands Modernization of School System
The Austrian Industrial Association emphasizes the role of school and the need for reforming the educational system as the economy already suffers from a skills shortage.
May 17, 2011
Upheaval in the Austrian Gambling Market
Casinos Austria are going to face competition. The exact conditions for granting the casino concessions have not been decided yet.
May 17, 2011
Reactions to Treichl’s Criticism
Treichl’s criticism of Austrian politicians and Basel III rules has sparked a public dispute. WIFO disagrees and calls banks’ attitude “highly provincial”.
May 17, 2011
Erste’s Treichl Says Politicians ‘Cowardly’ on Basel III Rules
Andreas Treichl, CEO of Erste Group, provokes fierce reactions with his criticism of Austrian politicians and new international capital rules.
May 16, 2011
voestalpine: Eder Threatens to Withdraw from Austria
The voestalpine steel company has to struggle already massively with the EU’s climate change protection objectives, said Eder. They should not be increased further.
May 14, 2011
Leitl: "Reforms, Despite the Positive economic Outlook Should Not Be Forgotten"
Spring forecast by the EU Commission: Clearly improved growth prospects for Austria and the European Union
May 14, 2011
Resistance to Privatization Plans
The SPÖ criticized the plans of its coalition partner ÖVP to reduce public participation in order to abate debt.
May 10, 2011
Contradictions Regarding Expenditure for Bank Package
According to Eurostat, € 1.4bn more were spent on bank assistance than the corresponding revenues. The Ministry of Finance contradicts this.
May 7, 2011
Workers Continue Feeling the Crisis
The Austrian Working Climate Index increased only slightly from 107 to 108 points during the last half-year. According to the Labor Chamber, the crisis has not been mastered yet, particularly for workers.
May 7, 2011
Leitl and Sorger Demand Privatizations
Economic Chamber’s President Christoph Leitl and Industrialists' Association President Veit Sorger spoke in support of privatization at a press conference.
May 5, 2011
Leitl: "Austria was the Largest Investor in Turkey in 2010"
WKÖ President Leitl pointed to the intense economic links between the two countries during the state visit of Turkish President Abdullah Gül to Austria.
May 4, 2011
Moser Demands Changes in Debt Policy
Josef Moser, President of the Audit Court warns urgent structural reforms of the policy. There is no all-clear; the situation is "ominous".
May 3, 2011
Labor Chamber: Productivity Grew Significantly More Than Salary Increases
Personnel costs per employee of Austrian companies, according to the Labor Chamber (AK) have grown less than half as strong as productivity since 2003.
April 30, 2011
Carinthia: Further Development of Lakeside Park Secured
The course for further expansion of the flagship project has been set; an area of 4.5 hectares has been secured.
April 30, 2011
Greenpeace, vida and EVN: "Austria's Future in Energy is Renewable"
The switch to clean energy is possible by 2050, according to a current IHS study. It is to be achieved by halving the demand for energy.
April 30, 2011
Austria's Deficit in 2011 at 3.9 Percent
Despite the economic recovery, the debt will increase significantly again in 2011. The consolidation will take place from 2013 onwards.
April 29, 2011
Austrian Educational Level Rises
Educational level of young people aged 15 to 34 compared with their parents: Trend towards higher education.
April 28, 2011
Lending Behavior of Banks Remains Stable
The credit policy of Austrian banks remained stable for the third year running in the first quarter of 2011 and it is also expected to remain unchanged in the second quarter of 2011.
April 28, 2011
"Austria has Lost its Chance"
The labor market opening of Austria for the more recent EU member states comes too late, according to the manufacturing industry.
April 27, 2011
Lower Austria Seeks Airport Privatization
Lower Austrian Governor Erwin Pröll (ÖVP) intends to sell the 20% share of Vienna International Airport. The city of Vienna is not pleased at all.
April 23, 2011
Austrian Government Reshuffle has been Completed
The resignation of Josef Pröll triggered a reshuffle in the ÖVP. Most of the positions have been filled by now.
April 22, 2011
Herbst’s Withdrawal is Imminent
The CEO of Vienna International Airport, Christoph Herbst, should be about to resign. He is considered to be seeking a position at the Constitutional Court.
April 22, 2011
More Unemployed are Looking for Full-Time Jobs Than at the Start of the Crisis
The Austrian Chamber of Labor criticizes that despite the economic boom there are less full-time jobs available than before the economic crisis.
April 21, 2011
Fierce Criticism of Austria's Energy Policy
Anschober (Greens): "The Minister of Economy insists on the worst promotion policy of green electricity in Europe: this is hostile to the business and labor market"
April 21, 2011
Research Undertaken by Enterprises is Growing Again
An increase in research expenditure of 5% is expected for 2011. The expenditure should amount to € 8.3bn this year.
April 20, 2011
Rethinking of Health Policy Required
Junge Wirtschaft (Young Business) demands more economic incentives for healthy lifestyles for employees. This should allow an increase in retirement age.
April 19, 2011
Bad Image for Tourism-Related Professions
Austria's tourism industry workers are dissatisfied with their jobs because of relatively low pay and bad working conditions.
April 19, 2011
Austrian Research Intensity Expected to be 2.79% of GDP in 2011
According to an estimate of Statistics Austria, for the first time presumably more than €8 billion will be spent on research and experimental development (R&D) in 2011.
April 19, 2011
Maria Fekter is the New Finance Minister
As part of the changes in the ÖVP government team, Minister for Internal Affairs Maria Fekter changes over to the more prestigious Ministry of Finance
April 16, 2011
Financial Problems in Austrian Municipalities
The revenue of Austrian municipalities should not be fall further in 2011, however, new expenditures will be caused by additional competences.
April 16, 2011
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