Sponsored Content
Alexander Van der Bellen
Pahor and Van der Bellen Demand European Cooperation
The Slovenian President Borut Pahor and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen met virtually to discuss current issues, especially the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the fight against the climate crisis. Both heads of state stressed the importance of European and, in fact, global cooperation in both matters.
February 2, 2021
New Year's Reception for Vienna's Diplomatic Corps
Alexander Van Der Bellen and Pedro Lopez Quintana, the doyen of the diplomatic corps, delivered a video address on the occasion of the New Year 2021 to all diplomats accredited in Austria and to the international community in general. Read the most important excerpts from the Austrian President's speech below.
January 29, 2021
New US Presidency: Austria and EU Welcome New Chapter
Joe Biden, as new President of the United States, and Kamala Harris, as new Vice President, were inaugurated on January 20, 2021. The reactions from politicians throughout the European Union and Austria to the inauguration and the President's first acts were filled with hope and positivity.
January 22, 2021
Austria Has New Federal Minister for Labor
After the resignation of Susanne Aschbacher as Federal Minister for Labor, Chancellor Kurz has presented her successor. Martin Kocher, Professor of Behavioral Economics and Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) will take over the Federal Minister position as an independent expert.
January 11, 2021
Selmayr Visits Van der Bellen
Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria, Martin Selmayr, visited Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen prior to the upcoming European Council. The two politicians discussed current issues in Europea including the Covid-19 pandemic, the relations with the United States and the Brexit negotiations with the United Kingdom.
December 9, 2020
Update: Lockdown in Austria - What applies from Monday 7 December?
Starting next Monday, the all-day exit restriction will be relaxed and rescheduled back to 8pm to 6am. Shops, all services providers and museums are allowed to open again. Kindergartens and compulsory schools will resume regular classes. Restaurants will remain closed. Delivery services, with the exception of the delivery or "pick-up" of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited. Cross-border arrivals from an area categorized as a risk area must be quarantined for ten days, after five days a PCR test may be performed. Outdoor sports, including skiing, will be allowed from 24 December. Restaurants, hotels and cultural institutions will not be allowed to reopen until 7 January.
December 2, 2020
Ludwig Is Sworn In as New, Old Mayor of Vienna
Michael Ludwig was sworn in as mayor of Vienna by Federal President Van der Bellen. The President sees the coalition between Ludwig's Social Democratic Party (SPOE) and the New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS) as an interesting opportunity, since this constellation had not existed on a federal or state level before.
November 24, 2020
Commemoration of the November Progrom: Israel, Germany and Austria Promote Peace
To commemorate the November pogrom on November 9, 1938, Federal President Van der Bellen, together with his Israeli and German counterparts, sent a memorial message. Together they want to fight against anti-Semitism and promote peace and security for Jewish communities.
November 10, 2020
Áder Met Van der Bellen
The Hungarian President Áder visited his Austrian counterpart in Vienna to discuss the current fight against Covid-19. Although there would have been many other EU and bilateral topics to discuss, the prevailing matter is the rising infection numbers in Europe and the measures taken by the various governments.
October 30, 2020
Van der Bellen at Viennale 2020: "We Need the Film"
The 58th Viennale is currently taking place despite Covid-19 and all the regulations that are in place. Federal President Van der Bellen and director of the festival, Eva Sangiorgi, both emphasize the importance of film even though the pandemic has impacted the industry dramatically.
October 23, 2020
100 Years Carinthian Referendum: Van der Bellen Apologizes to Carinthian Slovenes
During the 100 years anniversary of the Carinthian Referendum, Federal President Van der Bellen apologized to the Slovene minority in Carinthia for the bad treatment they had received in the past. He emphasized the importance of ethnic groups in Austria and hopes that these minorities will continue to exist.
October 12, 2020
Slovenian President will join Van der Bellen for "100 Years Carinthian Referendum"
For the first time ever, a Slovenian President will take part in the ceremony for "100 Years Carinthian Referendum". Slovenian Head of State Pahor will be joining his Austrian counterpart Van der Bellen for the celebrations.
October 7, 2020
Chief Rabbi of Vienna Meets Van der Bellen
Vienna's newly appointed Chief Rabbi Jaron Engelmayer made his inaugural visit to President Van der Bellen to discuss current topics of the religious community and the Covid-19 situation.
September 24, 2020
Austrian World Summit 2020 Was a Success
The Austrian World Summit 2020 was held in a mixture of analog and digital setting due to Covid-19, yet starred international personalities that all highlighted the importance of sustainability and the fight against climate change.
September 17, 2020
Zelensky Visits Austria
Ukrainian President Zelensky came to Austria to visit President Van der Bellen, Chancellor Kurz and President of the National Council Sobotka. The topics comprised the successful bilateral economic relations and regional conflicts in the Ukraine.
September 16, 2020
Arnold Schwarzenegger and the "Climate Kirtag"
After the Austrian World Summit and the Climate Kirtag had to be postponed in spring due to the Corona pandemic, they are now entering the second round. No tickets are available this year. You need to register online to join the events virtually for free.
September 8, 2020
Van der Bellen Promoted a Common, Greener European Future at the 75th European Forum Alpbach
Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen opened the 75th European Forum Alpbach with his speech that focused on international cooperation and an environmentally friendly and sustainable future.
August 26, 2020
President Van der Bellen at the Salzburg Festival: "Artists Need All Our Support"
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen invited his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier accompanied by Elke Büdenbender to a festival and working visit in Salzburg. Both presidents agreed on the fact that artists are in a very difficult situation at the moment and need to be supported.
August 24, 2020
European Forum Alpbach Will Be Host to Numerous Outstanding Personalities Beginning August 23
The European Forum Alpbach will be opened by Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen on August 23 and will host various outstanding speakers, either in person or virtually, for 12 days.
August 18, 2020
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Visits Austria
The visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Austria comprised discussions with highest officials of the Austrian government including Chancellor Kurz and President Van der Bellen. Discussions were held about the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral relations as well as about topics of international importance.
August 17, 2020
Visit of US Secretary of State to Austria Results in a Joint Declaration by Austria and the United States
A joint declaration by Austria and United States was issued as part of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's visit to Austria. The declaration included, among other topics, commitment to rebuilding efforts after the Covid-19 crisis and the creation of an even better bilateral dialogue.
August 15, 2020
Meeting Between Čaputová and Van der Bellen
The Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen met his Slovak counterpart Zuzana Čaputová to talk mainly about climate change.
July 24, 2020
COVID-19: "How do we get through this, Mr. President?"
Alexander Van der Bellen spoke to the "Kronen Zeitung" about an unprecedented threat: "In Austria we want to avoid a situation in hospitals where doctors have to decide who gets the oxygen, the 70-year-old or the 60-year-old."
March 16, 2020
Austria is Concerned, but Federal President Remains Silent
In Austria - as in the rest of the world - there is also the danger of a coronavirus pandemic, but Federal President Van der Bellen, who ran the election campaign with a ticket from the Green Party, and who comments on the climate crisis almost weekly, remains silent, instead of informing the population and calling on them to take preventive measures. (Updated on March 13, 2020. See below.)
February 29, 2020 · Updated: March 13, 2020; 20:30
Portrait: Who is Alma Zadić, Austria's New Federal Minister of Justice?
Former refugee from the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Alma Zadić commits herself to work with passion and all her strength for a policy of unconditional human rights and social justice.
February 20, 2020
Inaugural Visit of the New UNODC Boss Ms. Ghada Waly
Ghada Fathi Waly, the new Executive Director of UNODC and the new Director-General of UNOV, met Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen for talks during her inaugural visit.
February 4, 2020
UN Executive Director Yury Fedotov Bids Farewell to Vienna
The Russian diplomat Yury Fedotov, who was - until December 31, 2019 - the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and also the Director-General of the UN Office at Vienna (UNOV) has now officially taken his leave.
January 30, 2020
Traditional New Year Reception for the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna
The Federal President's Reception for the Diplomatic Corps annually gathers all diplomatic representatives in Vienna in the Ceremonial Hall of the Hofburg.
January 17, 2020
More Women than Men - Who Forms the New Austrian Government?
Austrian President Van der Bellen has praised the new Federal Government in the Presidency Chancellery. In addition to Federal Chancellor Kurz and Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler, the cabinet consists of 13 ministers and one state secretary. Among the 17 government members are 9 women and 8 men. Find out below who the new government members are.
January 7, 2020
Prorussian Alexander Lukashenko Meets Van der Bellen
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who has been in office since 1994 (now in his fifth term of office), was received by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen during an official visit with military honours.
November 12, 2019
Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Presence of Van der Bellen
Guests from around 200 countries attended the ceremony of the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in the Japanese Imperial Palace in Tokyo, including Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Doris Schmidauer.
October 22, 2019
Celebration of the Imperial Accession to the Throne in Tokyo with Van der Bellen
President Van der Bellen takes part in the ceremony for the accession of the new "Tenno", Emperor Naruhito, to the throne in Tokyo and in the bilateral economic forum "Austria Connect Japan". Other items on the agenda include talks with the Presidents of Georgia and Estonia.
October 21, 2019
Politburo Member of Communist Party of China Courted by Austria's Top Leaders
Yang Xiaodu, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the National Supervisory Commission of the PRC, visited Vienna and met with Alexander Van der Bellen, Wolfgang Sobotka, Clemens Jabloner and UNODC, among others.
October 17, 2019
Visit of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia to Austria
While the Macedonian President Stevo Pendarovski pays his respects to Austria and the Federal President continues to strongly support the accession of North Macedonia into the European Union, it becomes known from Paris that France's President Emmanuel Macron is vetoing EU accession negotiations with the Balkan states of North Macedonia and Albania, as he apparently considers the progress made so far in the two countries to be insufficient.
October 11, 2019
Kurz Is Assigned the Mandate to Form a Government
Federal President Van der Bellen gave the mandate to form a government to the head of the Austrian People's Party, Sebastian Kurz. Kurz announced talks with all parties. The most discussed coalition variant is the cooperation with the Green Party.
October 7, 2019
Bulgarian Head of State Radew Met Austria's Heads of State
During the first official visit of the Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to Vienna, he met with President Van der Bellen in the Hofburg, Chancellor Bierlein in the Federal Chancellery and President Sobotka in Parliament.
October 7, 2019
Government Formation: Party Leaders in the Presidential Chancellery
Next Monday, Federal President Van der Bellen will commission ÖVP leader Kurz to form a government.
October 2, 2019 · Updated: October 4, 2019; 13:03
Austrian Caretaker Government Demission and Re-Appointment
President Van der Bellen has entrusted the transitional government with the temporary continuation of the administration. Until a new government is formed, Chancellor Bierlein's government will remain in office.
October 1, 2019
Austrian President and Chancellor at UN General Assembly
President Van der Bellen, Chancellor Bierlein, Environment Minister Maria Patek and activist Anika Dafert attended the 74th UN General Assembly in New York.
September 25, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Prince Abdullah Bin Khaled Bin Sultan Al Saud
The new Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Austria, Prince Abdullah Bin Khaled Bin Sultan Al Saud presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg. He is also non-resident ambassador to Slovakia and Slovenia.
September 20, 2019
Meet the New Ambassador of Qatar to Austria: H.E. Sultan Salmeen Al-Mansouri
The new Ambassador of Qatar to Austria, H.E. Sultan Salmeen Al-Mansouri presented Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen with his letter of accreditation at the Vienna Hofburg.
September 20, 2019
Jane Goodall Awarded Honorary Cross in Vienna
The well-known primate researcher and environmental activist Jane Goodall has been awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art 1st Class by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
September 12, 2019
Inaugural Visit of the New Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Chalupka
The intertwining of climate change and justice as well as the responsibility of man and the Protestant Church before God were central points of the discussion.
September 10, 2019
Western Balkans: Meeting of Austria with the Heads of State of Croatia and Slovenia
Traditional meeting of the presidents of Croatia, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Slovenia, Borut Pahor, and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in the Croatian coastal town of Šibenik. The objective was more common EU foreign policy.
September 5, 2019
Commemoration of the Beginning of the Second World War 80 Years Ago
The greatest military conflict in human history was the Second World War from 1939 to 1945, which began with the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, involved directly or indirectly over 60 states and claimed the lives of over 60 million people. Both at home and abroad, the official Austria commemorated this terrible war.
September 3, 2019
What Do You Know About the Austrian Federal President Van der Bellen
Alexander Van der Bellen is an Austrian economist, former politician of the Green Party and since 26 January 2017 ninth Austrian Federal President of the Second Republic.
October 4, 2018 · Updated: September 2, 2019; 20:02
Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová's First Visit to Vienna
The first visit of the newly elected Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová to Vienna led to Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein.
September 2, 2019
Slovakia's First Female President Comes to Austria
The newly elected Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová visits Vienna for an official visit and is welcomed there by the Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen. The visit will also include a meeting with Federal Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein.
August 28, 2019
Austria's Great Labour Unionist Rudolf Hundstorfer Deceased
The former head of the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB) and social minister Rudolf Hundstorfer died at the age of 68 on holiday in Croatia due to a heart attack.
August 20, 2019
Meet Austria's Minister of Education Iris Eliisa Rauskala
Iris Eliisa Rauskala (41) is an Austrian economist and civil servant. She was appointed Federal Minister for Education, Science and Research in the Austrian Federal Government Bierlein. She grew up almost five years in Finland and then in Upper Austria. After her appointment she outed herself in interviews with the media as an openly lesbian woman.
August 6, 2019
Fast News Search
