Austria International Political News | International | EU | Domestic

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

Styria: "The crisis is over"

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) considers that the federal province hit extremely hard by the economic crisis has resumed the upward trend.

April 9, 2011

ÖVAG Participates in the Stress Test

Unlike last year, the Austrian Volksbanken group (ÖVAG) is to participate in the EU-wide stress testing of banks. 5% equity is assumed as lower limit.

April 9, 2011

ÖIAG Provides Increased Revenue for the Sate

The Austrian state holding company will deliver about 250mby means of higher dividend payments to its owner, the Republic of Austria.

April 8, 2011

Leitl: "Austria is Very Well Positioned for the Opening of the Labor Market"

Experts estimate immigration potential to be between 15,000 to 25,000 people; gains from migration for Austria, as from 1 May, about € 900m.

April 8, 2011

Andritz Defends Itself against the Greens

The Austrian technology group rejects vehemently the accusation of the Greens concerning the alleged sale of nuclear technology to Pakistan.

April 6, 2011

Tough Collective Bargaining in the Electrical Industry

The second round of collective bargaining in Austria's electrical industry had to be interrupted. About 50,000 workers are affected.

April 6, 2011

Renewable Energy as a Sustainable "Job Driver"

For the President of the Chamber of Agriculture (LK, Landeswirtschaftskammer Österreich), Gerhard Wlodkowski, renewable energies secure an edge on technology and high-quality jobs.

April 6, 2011

Austrian Trade Union Continues to Lose Members

The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) registered a loss of 11,000 members last year. The decline showed a slight reduction.

April 6, 2011

Basel III: Leitl Demands Adaptation for SMEs

The implementation of Basel III should take business financing into account, for which reason national support measures are necessary for capital strengthening of small businesses.

April 5, 2011

Mitterlehner PromotesTourism Strategy for Austria

The Minister of Economy is working on a new alliance of federal and provincial governments in order to focus on marketing, subsidies and innovations for the tourism industry.

April 2, 2011

Mitterlehner: New Modernization Partnership Concluded with Russia

Minister of Economy: Investment opportunities for companies boost exports to Russia: innovations and new technologies as growth drivers.

April 1, 2011

Leitl Demands Reduction of Public Debt

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber sees potential for efficiency in the administration, as well as in the health and pension system

April 1, 2011

Austrians are among the European Leaders in Pension Duration

Austrians currently spend an average of over 23 years in retirement; this is about twice as long as in 1970. Austria ranks second in Europe in this respect.

March 31, 2011

Mitterlehner Intends to Expand Economic Relations with Malaysia

A work meeting was held in Vienna with the Malaysian counterpart. New export opportunities exist primarily through eco-innovation.

March 30, 2011

Official start of construction of Austria's largest building project

The start of construction of the controversial Koralm tunnel, a railway connection between Carinthia and Styria, has occurred. The 20km long tunnel will be completed in 2022.

March 29, 2011

Manufacturing Industry on Pensions: Structural Reform has to be Adressed Urgently

Manufacturing industry representatives were surprised at ÖGB statements. Instead of early retirements, more funds should be freed for future investments.

March 26, 2011

Economy: "South Axis” Demands Recovery Program

Styria and Carinthia are at a disadvantage concerning infrastructure compared with other provinces, was the criticism of the Economic Chambers of the "strong south".

March 25, 2011

Leitl Promotes Green Electricity Amendment

The Economic Chamber President welcomes the initiative of the Minister of Economy: green electricity is promoted, reduced the backlog of planned investments.

March 24, 2011 · Updated: March 24, 2011; 01:34

Collective Contracts: Wage Increase of 2.95% for 130,000 Construction Workers

In the current collective negotiation rounds, the construction union managed to get the so far highest wage increase. The paper-manufacturing industry agreed on an increase of 2.4%.

March 24, 2011 · Updated: March 24, 2011; 00:31

No Sale of ÖBB-Power Plants

The proposal that the Austrian Federal Railways sell its assets rather than increase its capital meets with vehement rejection.

March 23, 2011

Manufacturing Industry Sharply Criticizes the Union

Employees' proposals are not very productive, the Austrian Industrial Association says. There is no shift from wages toward corporate profits.

March 22, 2011

WKÖ: No EU Interference in Tariff Negotiations

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber expects no interference from Brussels in domestic collective agreement negotiations.

March 22, 2011

Austrian National Bank Expects Tougher "Stress Tests"

The EU-wide bank stress tests planned for 2012 should turn out to be more rigorous, according to the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB).

March 19, 2011

Young Industry on Pensions: Failure of Politicians is "Evidence of Incapacity"

Mitterbauer said: "Austria continues to be a record holder for early retirement, despite the massive and long-term need for action." Inaction is "an affront to the younger generations".

March 19, 2011

Tough Negotiations Epected in Austria's Electrical Industry

Collective agreement negotiations for about 50,000 workers in the electrical industry start today.

March 18, 2011

Manufacturing Industry Supports Reform of the Energy System

Federation of Austrian Industries: "Energy efficiency has to get back into focus, the development of hydropower is a priority for Austria"

March 17, 2011 · Updated: March 18, 2011; 01:24

Vienna Reacts to Predicted Housing Shortage

Union and construction industry welcome the "housing offensive" of the city government.

March 17, 2011

Wlodkowski: "Renewable Energy is the Only Road for the Future"

The President of the Chamber of Agriculture calls for the promotion of renewable energies. A "Fossil-lobby" allegedly wants to prevent this.

March 15, 2011

Significant Savings Potential by the Administration

Efficiency potential in public expenditure of over € 500 million. Felderer: "Significant savings potential”.

March 11, 2011

Economic Chamber Demands Redeployment of "Manual Workers Regulation" in Favor of Research

The Austrian Economic Chamber presented a list of demands to the federal government. Critics say it is to no purpose.

March 10, 2011

Leitl Favors EU Financial Transaction Tax

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber says: "The EU Parliamen has taken an important step towards EU financial transaction tax"

March 10, 2011

New Sharp Criticism of the Pension System

Austria's Young Industry's opinion on pensions: "politicians can no longer deny reality" There are many known weaknesses in the system.

March 9, 2011

Austria's Businesses Satisfied with Government Research Initiative

The strategy of the Federal Government regarding RTI (Research, Technology and Innovation) is an important step for the location Austria, according to the opinion of the Economic Chamber.

March 9, 2011

Demand for Minimum Wage meets with Hostility

The proposal by the Minister for officials, Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek, to introduce a minimum wage of € 1300, is mere populism, according to the Economic Chamber.

March 8, 2011

Demand for Increase in Retirement Age

Austrian Young Economy demands again a "sustainable" pension system. Less early retirement, but more later pensioning is required.

March 8, 2011

Leitl: "Research Support Should Be Pushed Now!"

The President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) speaks in favor of increasing the research bonus.

March 5, 2011

Austrian Clearingbank Concludes Activities

The activities of the Oesterreichische Clearingbank, founded in 2008 to handle liquidity shortages at commercial banks end presently.

March 5, 2011

Economic Policy: Criticism of Berlin, Praise for Vienna

The leader of the German Left Party, Gregor Gysi, says that Vienna has lead a better economic policy after the fall of the Soviet bloc than Berlin.

March 4, 2011

Workers Continue Seeing the Situation on the Labor Market as Critical

The work climate index of the Austrian Chamber of Labour (AK, Arbeiterkammer Österreich) indicates that workers continue considering the situation on the labor market as critical despite rising employment.

March 4, 2011

Leitl and Juncker Support a "Marshall Plan for Africa"

Austria and Luxembourg drive for support. Special attention is paid to education and know-how.

March 3, 2011

FPÖ Intends to Establish Itself as an Economic Party

In an interview with the "Wirtschaftsblatt", FPÖ chairman Heinz-Christian Strache says that the party wishes to address entrepreneurs more strongly in future.

March 3, 2011

Mitterlehner: "Companies are Taking On More Apprentices Again"

The Austrian Minister of Economy sees positive developments on the labor and apprenticeship market. The promotion of apprenticeships has proved to be successful.

March 2, 2011

WKÖ: Development Plan for North Africa

Given the dramatic situation in North Africa, Christoph Leitl, President of the Economic Chamber (WKÖ) pleads for a ‘European Marshall Plan'.

March 1, 2011

Leitl Fears Falling Back behind Asia

During a state visit to Singapore the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ) again urges the Austrian government to undertake reforms.

February 24, 2011

Increase of Inflation Forecast

The Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) increases its inflation expectations to 2.4% due to the increase in energy prices

February 24, 2011

Leitl Demands More Support for SMEs

The Small Business Act must be also implemented at national level in a sustained way, says the President of the Austrian Economic Chamber.

February 24, 2011

Molterer Nominated as Vice-President of the EIB

Former Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Wilhelm Molterer is nominanted as candidate for Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

February 23, 2011

Manufacturing Industry Welcomes Red-White-Red Card"

IV-President Sorger: Innovative immigration system is an incentive for highly skilled workers; the abolition of the quota is a major political location signal.

February 23, 2011

Kazakhstan as a Chance for Foreign Trade

Austrian Economic Chamber promotes further development of economic relations with Kazakhstan.

February 23, 2011

WKÖ: "Clear Commitment to the Brenner Base Tunnel is Needed”

The chairman of the Austrian Economic Chamber considers the tunnel between Italy and Austria as a pioneering infrastructure project.

February 23, 2011