Budget Deficit

The Euro – A Big Error (Part 2)

The system of the common currency has failed to work, but is still kept alive artificially. The euro brings enormous difficulties to stronger as well as weaker European economies.

May 23, 2012

Austrian Industrial Sector Pushes for Austerity

The Federation of Austrian Industries sees still a huge potential to reduce public expenses and underlines the importance of the industrial sector.

May 22, 2012

Fekter: Hollande´s Suggestions are “Nonsense”

Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger and Finance Minister Fekter are strictly against the introduction of Eurobonds and any amendments of the Fiscal Treaty.

May 22, 2012

The Euro – A Big Error (Part 1)

The system of the common currency has failed to work, but is still kept alive artificially. The euro brings enormous difficulties to stronger as well as weaker European economies.

May 20, 2012

Sorger Underlines Austrian Crisis Management

The President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Veit Sorger reaffirms the necessity of austerity and investments of the private sector.

May 19, 2012

Androsch Criticizes Political Inactivity

The former Austrian Finance Minister and industrialist Hannes Androsch thinks that both austerity and growth strategies are needed and criticizes the government sharply.

May 18, 2012

Keuschnigg: „Austria Needs More Federalism“

The new director of IHS (Institute of Advanced Studies) considers that a decentralization of the fiscal policy would bring more competition between the provinces.

May 18, 2012

Austrian Stability Pact Signed

The Austrian Federation, the provinces and the municipalities agreed on the stability pact. Until 2016, a zero deficit should be reached.

May 10, 2012

Stable Development of Austrian Economy

The Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO) forecasts a decent, but stable economic growth in 2012.

May 10, 2012

Maastricht Criteria: Austria in the Middle Field

In 2011, the government deficit of both the euro area (EA17) and the EU27 decreased in absolute terms compared with 2010, while the government debt rose in both zones.

April 23, 2012

Triple-A Will Not Return Soon

The U.S. rating agency S&P dashes hopes that Austria may get back its “AAA” soon. Austrian banks may still face risks as the crisis is over yet, S&P says.

April 20, 2012

Felderer: „Women Must Have More Children”

The director of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS) sees a demographic problem in Austria as well as in Europe. Migration cannot solve the problem, Felderer says.

April 19, 2012

Felderer: „Another Downgrade Less Probable“

The Austrian economist Bernhard Felderer thinks that the risk of another downgrade of Austrian sovereign bonds has decreased.

April 18, 2012

Austrian Industry Underlines Austerity Policy

After the rating agency Fitch retained Austria´s triple A, the Austrian industry sees a confirmation of the need for austerity. Finance Minister Fekter emphasized to push for further reforms.

April 17, 2012

Public Deficit in 2011 Below Maastricht Criteria

The Austrian state recorded a budget deficit of 2.6%. Public debt rose to 72.2% of GDP in 2011.

March 29, 2012

Swiss Tax Treaty: Austria Under Pressure

The Austrian Minister of Finance is optimistic to conclude the Swiss tax deal by 2013. Proceeds of € 1.0bn are expected.

March 28, 2012

2,000 New Jobs Created by Foreign Enterprises

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce stressed the importance of foreign direct investment in Vienna. Last year, 126 foreign enterprises came to Vienna.

March 22, 2012

Doubt About Austerity Package

Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter had to defend the government´s austerity package again. Experts are in doubt about the successful implementation.

March 15, 2012

Austria Wants More Leeway for Hungarian Budget

The Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter criticizes the EU. Hungary is not treated equally, Fekter says.

March 13, 2012

Despite Loss of AAA: Austria Pays Less Interest

The Austrian Republic had to pay € 300m less than initially expected in 2011. In spite of the downgrade by S&P, the trend seems to continue.

March 10, 2012

„The Public Sector Does not Get Enough“

Klaus Pöttinger, President of Upper Austria´s IV takes Switzerland as model. Taxes would be too high, efficiency of the public sector is too low, he says.

March 9, 2012

Public Debt Agency: “Unnecessary to Change Bonds Issuance Plans”

Austria sees no need to change its debt issuance program and is sticking to its plan to stay below the European Union’s deficit ceiling this year even as it injects cash into Oesterreichische Volksbanken AG (VBPS) and KA Finanz.

March 6, 2012

Again Criticism on Austerity Package: „Lack in Sustainability“

The President of the Viennese Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), Georg Kapsch, misses details of the austerity package. The package is not ambitious enough, Kapsch considers.

March 5, 2012

Fiscal Treaty: Austrian Economy Satisfied, Opposition Criticizes

After the signing of the EU fiscal treaty at the EU Summit today, reactions in Austria are very different. The largest opposition party FPÖ calls for a popular vote.

March 2, 2012

VBAG´s Rescue Endangers Austerity Targets

In 2012, savings should reach € 576m. However, only write-offs in VBAG cost € 700m. The Austrian government seeks for additional revenues.

February 29, 2012

Fekter: „Austerity Package is Structural Reform Package“

In spite of criticism by economists, for the Austrian Minister of Finance, the austerity package is a “big success”.

February 20, 2012

Doubt and Criticism on Austerity Package

For the director of IHS, the austerity measures do not contain real reforms. The implementation could become difficult. Administration reforms and health system reforms are too low, observers say.

February 13, 2012

Austerity Package Has Lack in Structural Reforms

The industrialists regard the Austrian austerity package even-tempered. WIFO misses structural reforms.

February 11, 2012

Austrian Government Presents € 27bn Austerity Package

The largest austerity package in Austria´s history mainly consists of cuts in expenditures. The government emphasized the socially balanced measures and the necessity due to reasons of competitiveness.

February 11, 2012

Euro-Crisis: Austrian Managers are Optimistic

In spite of the current euro-crisis, most Austrian managers believe that the currency will remain. Moreover, a deepening of the cooperation between EU-member states is expected.

February 6, 2012

Austrian Government Debt Quota Declining Slightly

Euro area government debt down to 87.4% of GDP in the third quarter 2011 compared with second quarter 2011.

February 6, 2012

Austerity: Leitl and Sorger Call for More Effort

The Presidents of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) and the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) aim for re-gaining the “AAA” for Austria. The government should cut expenses instead of rising taxes.

January 27, 2012

Budget Deficit Lower Than Forecasted

The Austrian budget deficit in 2011 reached 3.3%. Initially, the figure was expected to amount to 3.9%.

January 27, 2012

Government to Sharpen Austerity Measures

After the downgrade of Austrian sovereign bonds from „AAA“ to „AA+“ by S&P, the Austrian government aims to reach its austerity targets earlier.

January 17, 2012

Downgrade: Government Surprised and Criticized

For the Austrian government, the downgrade by the U.S. rating agency is „not comprehensible”. The domestic industry urgently claims structural reforms.

January 14, 2012

Study on „Economic Freedom“: Austria Falls

In the global ranking of the U.S. “Heritage foundation”, Austria only occupies rank 28. The government would not introduce enough reforms, bureaucracy would be too high.

January 13, 2012

Pressure on Hungary Increases

The chairman of the Austrian Central Bank, Ewald Nowotny, sees no danger for Austrian banks from Hungary. EU and IMF criticize the Hungarian government.

January 11, 2012

Slow Growth in CEE Expected

According to Raiffeisen Research, real GDP in CEE to grow by 2.0 per cent in 2012, while Austria set to post GDP decline of 0.5 per cent.

January 11, 2012

„Not Talking Down Austerity Policy“

Bernhard Felderer, head of the Austrian Institute of Advanced Studies (IHS), warns daily issued ideas for new taxes. First signs of a recovery are arising.

January 7, 2012

„We Are at the Tipping Point“

2012 will be a crucial year for Europe and Austria, says the director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO). The coming decade will be coined by debt reduction.

January 5, 2012

Austrian Government Debt Stands at € 214bn

Austrian government debt in relation to GDP declined slightly to 71.6%. Social insurance carriers reduced their debt by 49.5%.

December 30, 2011

Austrian Government Wants to Save € 10bn

The coalition partners agreed to cut expenses by € 2.0bn per year until 2016. Details were not published.

December 27, 2011

Moody’s Keeps Austria’s AAA

The rating agency points to Austria’s economic strength and attempts to introduce a balanced budget requirement in the constitution.

December 23, 2011

Felderer Expects Structural Changes

The head of the public debt committee, Bernhard Felderer says that new taxes are inevitable.

December 20, 2011

Fekter Pushes for Further Austerity Measures

The Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter (ÖVP), announced that the planned austerity measures will not be sufficient. The coalition partner SPÖ is upset.

December 19, 2011

Debt Brake: Government Tries Again

In order to install the „debt brake“ into the constitution, the Austrian government tries again to persuade the opposition parties.

December 12, 2011

Only 0.3% GDP Growth in Third Quarter

The Austrian GDP stagnates, which is due to decrease in domestic consumption. The only positive impetus comes from the export industry.

December 9, 2011

Austrian „Debt Brake“ Resolved

Due to the lack in approval by the opposition parties, the „debt brake“ will only be resolved as a simple act.

December 8, 2011

Austrian Government Pushes for Further Austerity Measures

The Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter, did not exclude an austerity package. First effects should be seen already in 2012. However, it is not clear yet if economic forecasts for the next year will hold.

November 26, 2011

Austrian Budget: 3.2% Deficit in 2012

Today, the Austrian Minister of Finance, Maria Fekter, presented the budget for 2012. The debt quota rises further until 2015.

October 19, 2011
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