Austrian Parliament

Feminist Foreign Policy in Focus: Experts Discuss New Perspectives in Austria's Parliament

The Austrian Parliament hosted an important panel discussion on "Feminist Foreign Policy", where experts emphasized the need for a change of perspective in international politics.

November 29, 2023

Austria in the Fight Against Violence Against Women

In Austria and around the world, the fight against violence against women and girls is being pursued with vigor. This is reflected in various initiatives and events that raise awareness of this important issue and promote concrete measures to combat such violence.

November 28, 2023

Discussion in the Austrian Parliament on Dual Citizenship for South Tyroleans

A motion for a resolution recently tabled in the Austrian Parliament by the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) on the introduction of dual citizenship for South Tyroleans was rejected by the other parliamentary groups. This proposal aimed to allow members of the German and Ladin-speaking ethnic groups in South Tyrol to acquire Austrian citizenship in addition to Italian citizenship.

November 26, 2023

Solidarity with Israel in the Austrian National Council

In a remarkable session of the Austrian National Council, strong solidarity with Israel and a clear condemnation of Hamas and its terrorist attacks were demonstrated. The unanimous decision of the MPs reflects Austria's stance on the Middle East conflict and the violence in the region.

November 26, 2023

Austria Plans Increase in Foreign Policy Budget for 2024

The increased budget for foreign policy matters was discussed as part of the current deliberations in the Budget Committee on the Federal Finance Act 2024. Accordingly, the budget is to rise to 677.2 million euros in the coming year, which corresponds to an increase of 41.7 million euros or 6.6 percent compared to 2023.

November 20, 2023

Austria's Engagement in the Middle East: Solidarity with Israel and Support for Palestine

Amid the tense situation in the Middle East, Austria has reaffirmed its solidarity with Israel and at the same time pledged humanitarian aid for the Palestinian civilian population.

November 12, 2023

Austrian Politics Between Neutrality and Security Policy

A heated political climate is currently shaping the political debate in Austria, where the FPÖ and other political groups in parliament are debating the issues of neutrality, security policy, and the right approach to current crises.

October 31, 2023

75 Years of Human Rights: A Light Art Celebration in the Heart of Vienna

The Parliament in Vienna will become a radiant work of light art between November 2023 and January 2024 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Austrian artist Victoria Coeln, known for her impressive light installations in world-famous locations, will transform the facade of the Parliament into a shining symbol of diversity, freedom, dignity, and rights for all.

October 24, 2023

Austria Reacts to Hamas Attack: Solidarity with Israel and Concern about Iran

Amid the tense situation in the Middle East, the Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Vienna. Austria strongly condemned the official Iranian reaction to the attack on Israel by the Hamas terrorist organization. The Foreign Ministry stressed that Austria categorically rejects any questioning of Israel's right to exist and will consistently act against any form of anti-Semitism in the future.

October 9, 2023

Austria Takes Position Against Russian Wagner Group

The Foreign Affairs Committee of the Austrian National Council in Parliament has unanimously supported an initiative against the activities of the Russian Wagner Group. This follows allegations that the group is involved in human rights abuses and war crimes in Ukraine and other countries. The committee calls for Austria to take action with European partners to limit the group's influence and global presence.

October 5, 2023

EU-Mercosur Pact: Austria's Balancing Act between Trade Opportunities and Sustainability

The discussion about the free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay - is entering a new round. While some see the treaty as an opportunity to intensify trade between the two economic areas, others raise serious concerns about its impact on the environment and social standards.

September 19, 2023

OMV's Polyolefins Business Cooperation: Concerns Raised as Greens Question Borealis' Future

Austrian energy company OMV has decided to pursue negotiations with ADNOC, the state-owned oil company of the United Arab Emirates, on potential cooperation of their polyolefins business. This reinforces certain concerns of the critical voices on the OMV-ADNOC deal.

July 16, 2023

Austria Stresses Need in Fight Against Illegal Migration Despite Rejection of Higher EU Budget

Dealing with irregular migration, increasing the EU budget as well as foreign and economic policy considerations were the focus of the Parliament's EU Main Committee today. Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer reiterated his opposition to a higher EU budget, but at the same time stressed the great need for funding in the fight against illegal migration.

June 28, 2023

EU Parliament President Metsola Visited Vienna

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola was on several working visits and events in an EU Parliament President addressed the members of the Austrian National Council. It also came to the working meeting with Austria's Foreign Minister Schallenberg and the opening of the interactive exhibition "Experience Europe" in Vienna.

May 29, 2023

EU Commissioner Hahn Says Only a United Europe Can Succeed in a Globalized World

On the occasion of Europe Day on May 9th, the European Commission recently organized a ceremony under the motto "Europe - Together for Democracy, Peace and Sovereignty" at the Austrian Parliament. EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of Europe's global political capacity for its future success.

May 5, 2023

Austrian Parliament Taking a Stand For LGBTIQ Diversity

Under the motto "No democracy without diversity!", the LGBTIQ Intergroup of the Parliament hosted a reception. The focus was on measures to improve the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, intersex, transgender, and queer people in Austria.

April 12, 2023

FPÖ-Uproar over Planed Zelenskyy Speech in the Austrian Parliament

A virtual speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled for March 30 in the Austrian parliament. In the run-up to the event, the Austrian party with good relations with the Kremlin, the FPÖ, has voiced sharp criticism.

March 26, 2023

Unrestricted Access to the Austrian Labor Market for Displaced Ukrainians

Displaced Ukrainians in Austria will gain unrestricted access to the labor market, according to an amendment by the social committee in the National Council.

March 23, 2023

Working in Austria: Red-White-Red Card Facilitations Approved

The Social Affairs Committee of the National Council has approved facilitations for the Red-White-Red Card. Most importantly, german language skills criteria were eased for certain industries.

March 23, 2023

Austria Wants to Bring New EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority to Vienna

Austria is bidding for the seat of the new EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) and wants to bring it to Vienna, Finance Minister Magnus Brunner said. However, it is still unclear whether this is feasible in the current climate of Austrian politics.

March 23, 2023

8.000 People Were Demonstrating in Vienna on War Anniversary

As the first anniversary of the Russo-Ukraine War has marked, the Ukrainian diaspora in Austria has held large demonstrations in Vienna. They started their march from the Parliament and ended up in Karlsplatz.

February 26, 2023

Neutrality Debate in Austria's Parliament at Ukraine Session

On the occasion of the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there was a lively debate in the Austrian parliament about the attitude towards the aggressor Russia and about neutrality. An open letter in Austria, in which signatories call for a responsible debate about the country's neutrality, also fueled the session in parliament.

February 24, 2023

FPÖ-Russia Relations After a Year of War in Ukraine

Traditionally close to the Kremlin, Austria's Freedom Party is currently part of a thriller in parliament. Its party finances and any contracts with the Russian party United Russia are still not largely known, even after a year of war in Ukraine.

February 22, 2023

Austrian Parliament Implements EU Directive for Better Protection of Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers are to be better protected in Austria in the future. After a delay of more than a year, the Austrian Parliament today passed a new Whistleblower Protection Act and accompanying amendments to the law, thus implementing a corresponding EU directive.

February 1, 2023

Austrian Parliament Passed Memorial Day Resolution Regarding Romani People and Sinti

The Austrian Parliament passed the resolution regarding a memorial day for the Romani people and Sinti. As in the original motion for a resolution by the coalition parties, it is proposed that the Roma and Romnja, Sinti, and Sintizze who were persecuted and murdered under the Nazi regime be commemorated on August 2nd.

January 31, 2023

Joint Commemoration of the Victims of the Shoah

On the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, representatives of the Israeli Religious Community, the Roma, the Government of Austria, the Embassy of Israel in Vienna and the humanist parliamentary parties commemorated the victims of the Shoah.

January 29, 2023

Fracking Is Causing Tensions in the Austrian Parliament

Fracking has caused tensions in the Austrian parliament. Climate protection Minister Leonore Gewessler from the Green Party tried to pass a law banning Fracking in Austria. However, the party’s coalition partner in the government, the Austrian People's Party (OEVP) declined the law.

January 18, 2023 · Sponsored Content

Ceremonial Reopening of the Parliament in Vienna

On the occasion of the opening of the renovated parliament building, a grand ceremony was held in the Federal Assembly Hall, which was attended not only by top domestic politicians but also by numerous guests of honor from Austria and abroad. The historic house on the Ring, which took five years to renovate and modernize, now shines again in its new splendor.

January 12, 2023

Austrian Parliament Passes Resolutions Regarding Iran and Ukraine

The Austrian Parliament has passed several resolutions concerning worldwide human rights issues such as hunger in Ukraine and women’s rights in Iran.

December 15, 2022

Austrian Parliamentarians Report on Visit to Ukraine

During a press conference representatives of the Bilateral Parliamentary Group Austria-Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine reported on their visit to war-torn Ukraine. Members of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), the Green Party and the NEOS took part in the trip.

December 12, 2022

Austrian Parliament Calls for More Support for Protests in Iran

The Austrian Parliament, the National Council, unanimously condemned the violent suppression of the current protests in Iran. The deputies demanded that actions on the part of Iranian institutions in Austria be monitored more closely and punished.

November 22, 2022

Indian Photographer Receives Global Peace Photo Award 2022

For the tenth time the winners of the international photo competition "Global Peace Photo Award" were awarded the Alfred Fried Peace Medal in the Austrian Parliament. The Indian photographer, Sourav Das, wins with a picture from his reportage "A Small yet Great Victory Over the Pandemic".

November 16, 2022

Austria Celebrates Its National Day Again in Old Normality

The Austrian National Day (Nationalfeiertag) is celebrated annually on 26 October, the anniversary of the announcement of Austrian neutrality in 1955 and the departure of the last allied occupying forces from Austria. On this October 26, the national holiday will return to normality after two years of coronavirus mode. As the Austrian Armed Forces return in full force to their performance on Vienna's Heldenplatz, the doors of government and parliament reopen to the public.

October 26, 2022

Austria's Government Under New Challenge: Are New Elections Coming?

With his statements, Thomas Schmid, ex-Secretary General at the Ministry of Finance, has incriminated many former and current top politicians of the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), some of them heavily. Although much was already relatively well known in the investigations by the Public Prosecutor's Office for Economic Affairs and Corruption (WKSta) triggered by the Ibiza affair, Schmid has provided a great deal of new material in the cases surrounding appointments to posts, tax and advertising deals in the Austrian government. In Austrian politics, a new crisis is now brewing for the ÖVP-Green coalition government.

October 20, 2022

Foreign Policy Report 2021 Puts Security in Europe in the Spotlight

The recently presented Europe and Foreign Policy Report 2021 outlines the foreign policy problems and challenges that Austria, but also Europe, had to deal with in the past year.

October 19, 2022

What is the Role of the Office of the Federal President in the Austrian Political System?

This Sunday, eligible voters in Austria will elect the head of state of their country, the Federal President. But how exactly is the political role of the Federal President expressed in the Austrian political system? What is the story behind the office? Where exactly can the Republic of Austria be placed on the axis between Parliamentarism and Presidentialism? Read on to find out the answers!

October 6, 2022

Sanctions: 200 Russian Bank Accounts Frozen in Austria

In the course of the sanctions against Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine, about 200 accounts in Austria have already been frozen. This means that assets of one billion euros are affected.

October 5, 2022

"Afghanistan's Strong Women": Event in Vienna Draws Attention to the Situation of Women in Afghanistan

The event "Afghanistan's Strong Women" focused on women's rights in Afghanistan, which have been steadily deteriorating since the Taliban took power. Now the event, organised among others by the Austrian Parliament, wants to give a platform to those who fight against this injustice and work day by day to restore the rights of women in Afghanistan.

October 4, 2022

Working in Austria: Further Facilitation of the Red-White-Red Card

Applying for a Red-White-Red Card is made easier again! Skilled workers who intend to work in Austria will find it easier to obtain a work permit in the future. Read this article to find out which simplifications have been decided.

September 26, 2022

Medal Award Ceremony in Vienna Strengthens Chinese-Austrian Relations

Several individuals who helped strengthen Chinese-Austrian relations were honored with Rosthorn Medals 2022 recently at Palais Epstein. Werner Fasslabend, Margareta Griessler-Hermann, LI Xiaosi, the ambassador of the People's Republic of China, and Gottfried Sodeck, an entrepreneur, received them this year.

September 13, 2022

New Educational Cooperation Between International Holocaust Memorial Yad Vashem and Austria Launched

An educational collaboration between Yad Vashem and the Austrian Parliament was formally established during the visit of the Director of the Holocaust Memorial, Dani Dayan. An agreement to work together against anti-Semitism was signed by Dani Dayan and Wolfgang Sobotka, the President of the National Council. Yad Vashem's partnership with a national parliament is the first of its kind in the world.

September 8, 2022

Development Policy in Austria: Focus on Combating the Consequences of Pandemics and Poverty

Recently, the Foreign Minister presented an updated version of the goals of Austria's development policy to the Austrian Parliament. If you want to know which goals Austria is aiming for and what this year's focus will be, read on.

August 11, 2022

US and Austria's Joint Efforts in Combating Serious Crimes

A report has recently been published that evaluates the success of the joint effort between the USA and Austria in preventing and combating serious crimes.

August 5, 2022

Reform of the Red-White-Red Card Passed by Parliament

In order to eliminate the shortage of suitable workers, the Austrian parliament recently decided to change the criteria for the Red-White-Red Card. In future, it should be easier to obtain this card. Austria's economy is relieved. If you want to know the exact changes, read on!

July 11, 2022

No More Compulsory Vaccination and New Regulations in Vienna: What You Need to Know

Austria's National Council announced at the end of this week that compulsory vaccination would be abolished. Contrary to this announcement, Vienna is tightening its mandatory masking in the health sector. In recent weeks, the number of cases has been increasing, which is why this step was necessary.

July 8, 2022

Austria as an International Leader in Research and Development Expenditures

Austria is one of the top performers in Europe in terms of expenditure on research and development. With a value of over 3% of GDP, Austria is thus one of the few countries to reach the EU's specified quota. Austria is also very successful in other areas on average in the EU. Read more in the following article!

July 4, 2022

Austria Promises Further Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine

In the course of the current programme of visits by Ukrainian politicians to Austria, Austria promised further support in the war against Russia. In addition to unwavering solidarity, the Ukrainian population is to benefit from further humanitarian aid.

June 22, 2022

Weekly Briefing: Diplomacy and Newest Developments in Vienna and Austria

Read about the newest developments in Diplomacy in Vienna and Austria. Further, Austria is strengthening its efforts to fight global and local grievances. Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg visited Serbia and Kosovo. The Find out more about this week's developments.

June 19, 2022

Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Demands Protection of European Values

The President of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, emphasized during a speech in the Austrian Parliament that Ukraine defends civilized Europe from Russia's imperialist aspirations and used the visit to promote Ukraine's accession to the EU. He also thanked Austria for its humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine in these difficult times.

June 15, 2022

Austrian Parliament for EU-Wide Data Exchange on Displaced Persons from Ukraine

Within the framework of the Temporary Protection Platform, the Austrian Parliament's Interior Committee today created the legal framework for EU-wide data exchanges on persons displaced from Ukraine. The extension concerning the Corona special regulations in alien law provides the basis for this framework.

June 13, 2022