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Christian Kern
Farewell to Brigitte Bierlein: A Role Model for Generations
Austria has bid farewell to Brigitte Bierlein, the country's first female chancellor, who passed away at the beginning of June. The funeral services began with a solemn requiem in St. Stephen's Cathedral and ended with the burial at Vienna's Central Cemetery. Bierlein was not only honored as an outstanding lawyer and politician, but also as a courageous and far-sighted woman who was always ready to take on responsibility.
June 16, 2024
New Chairpersons of the Austrian Citizens' Forum Europe
The ordinary general assembly of the Citizens Forum Europe (BGFE) in Vienna elected a new board. While Othmar Karas was reconfirmed as chairman, ex-Chancellor Christian Kern and ex-Vice President of the European Parliament Ulrike Lunacek will be his deputies in the future.
April 2, 2023
Austrian National Council Ends Brokerage Fees
A long debate will end on Wednesday as the Austrian national council will end the fee for brokers in the real estate market. Until now, new tenants used to pay the brokerage fee when they moved into their new apartment. The situation has changed now.
February 28, 2023
How Gazprom Helps the Kremlin to Manipulate Austria
The Russian government uses the majority state-owned energy corporation Gazprom to exploit Europe's dependency on Russian natural gas, and Austria is no exception. Read how the Kremlin uses Gazprom to influence Austria.
March 8, 2022
Putin's People in Austria and Beyond
Following Putin's invasion of eastern Ukraine with the aim of regaining former Soviet territory, two former European prime ministers from Italy and Finland have already resigned from the supervisory boards of two Russian companies. However, some Austrian and German politicians see no reason to resign their mandates. In the following some explanations why.
February 25, 2022 · Updated: February 25, 2022; 11:23
Austria's List of Pro-Kremlin Lobbyists Has One Cooperation Partner Less
The Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) has announced that it will not extend a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Russia (Единая Россия) party, a nationalist-conservative rallying party. It is the party with the largest membership in the Russian Federation under party leader Dmitry Medvedev, who supports Vladimir Putin's course. However, Russia can still rely on other former Austrian politicians. Read on to see who the most prominent supporters are.
December 16, 2021 · Updated: January 4, 2022; 14:50
Christian Kern: After All, Departure from Politics
The former SPÖ leader Christian Kern called to the SPÖ headquarters to quit his candidacy for the EU elections and to announce his farewell to politics. He is now indeed leaving politics and wants to return to the business world as a manager, or even to become an entrepreneur himself.
October 6, 2018
Thomas Drozda Appointed New Federal Managing Director of Austrian Social Democratic Party
The former cultural manager, who was brought back into politics by Chancellor Christian Kern, will accompany the new party leader, Pamela Rendi-Wagner, as Federal Managing Director of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ).
September 26, 2018
Dr. Pamela Rendi-Wagner Confirmed as Party Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Austria
Pamela Rendi-Wagner, former Minister of Health and Women's Affairs, was nominated new party leader by the SPÖ party executive. This is the first time that a woman has assumed the position of SPÖ chairman. Andreas Schieder made room for Rendi Wagner, Thomas Drozda takes over the federal management from Max Lercher. Who is Rendi-Wagner and what will she do?
September 25, 2018 · Updated: September 26, 2018; 13:00
Christian Kern to Run as Top Candidate for EU Election and to Resign as Party Chairman
After initial rumours about a stepping down from politics, Christian Kern (SPÖ) announced in the evening that he plans to give up his party chairmanship and instead intends to run in the European Parliament elections as the leading candidate of the SPÖ. "He leaves as party leader, but remains loyal to politics."
September 19, 2018
Austria's Most Significant Opposition Politician About to Resign
According to the daily newspaper "Die Presse", SPÖ boss Christian Kern is about to resign and will announce his resignation later tonight.
September 18, 2018
Extremism-Gate: Special Session of Austrian National Council Convened
The somewhat opaque events surrounding the house search of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counter-Terrorism (BVT) are now making political waves. It is deeply disturbing that a unit, which in itself is not responsible for this, is supposed to have carried out the house search at the BVT and allegedly took highly sensitive intelligence information with it. The matter stinks to high heaven. The Austrian opposition has convened the National Council. The parties SPÖ, NEOS and Liste Pilz (LP) demand that Interior Minister Herbert Kickl (FPÖ) provides a complete explanation.
March 9, 2018
Austrian Delegation Seeks to Improve Economic and Political Relations with Jordan
An official visit of President Van der Bellen to Jordan will take place from 17 April to 19 April 2018. The delegation to Amman will be accompanied by an economic mission headed by WKO Vice President Richard Schenz. The economic mission of the WKO is the response of an invitation issued some time ago by the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Kingdom.
March 8, 2018
New Vienna Central Station Offers New Connections and Shorter Travel Times
With the timetable change on 13 December 2015, Vienna Central Station and Vienna Meidling train station will be assuming their full role as a regional transportation hub. Bringing together the Western, Southern, Eastern and Northern Routes at Vienna Central Station and Vienna Meidling, creates a transportation hub with direct connection to all Austrian state capitals as well as Vienna Airport. For travelers this means better connections, shorter travel times and more comfortable traveling.
December 7, 2015 · Updated: December 7, 2015; 18:15
AIRail: New Type of Rail Connections Between Linz and Vienna International Airport
From 14 December 2014, Austrian Airlines and ÖBB are to launch a cooperation entitled ‘AIRail’ on the Linz central station – Vienna Airport – Linz central station route. In future, Austrian passengers with an Austrian flight either preceding or following their rail journey will also be able to use new ÖBB connections with an Austrian flight number between Linz central station and Vienna Airport.
June 16, 2014
Austria: Raids by EU Commission at ÖBB
The Austrian Railways is alleged of having agreed to fixed prices with other companies. House searches were carried out.
June 19, 2013
Austrian Railways Achieved Net Profit Last Year
For the first time for decades, Austrian railways (ÖBB) could generate profits after taxes.
February 26, 2013
Austrian Railways: Sale is „No Issue”
Christian Kern, CEO of Austrian Railways (ÖBB) underlines that the company must not be sold.
November 24, 2012
Austrian Railways: Net Income to Reach € 200m in Medium Term
Despite the difficult economic situation, CEO Christian Kern aims to increase the profitability further. “The fourth quarter will be brutal.” he says.
October 20, 2012
Austrian Railways to be Privatized?
ÖVP (Austrian People´s Party) again pushes for a privatization of ÖBB (Austrian Railways). The sale of the freight division would be conceivable, ÖVP´s chairman Michael Spindelegger says.
October 2, 2012
Austrian Railways: Pöchhacker Opposes to Privatization Plans
Horst Pöchhacker, President of ÖBB´s (Austrian Railways) is against a privatization of the company. Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger (ÖVP) recently suggested to sell ÖBB to Frank Stronach.
September 10, 2012
ÖBB to Become Privatized?
In the summer talks of Austria´s public broadcaster ORF, Vice Chancellor commented that the founder of Magna Frank Stronach should acquire ÖBB (Austrian Railways). A highly controversial debate has begun.
September 8, 2012
Austrian Railways to Record Profits
In the first six months of 2012, ÖBB (Austrian Railways) has recorded operating profits.
August 16, 2012
Austrian Railways to Record Profits Already in 2012
Christian Kern, CEO of Austrian Railways, explains that the company´s restructuring is going on. The results would be better than the expectations.
July 16, 2012
Restructuring: Hope at ÖBB
In 2010, Austrian Railways recorded losses of € 330m. CEO Kern could decrease losses to € 28m in 2011. The final turnaround is not achieved yet, Kern says.
April 26, 2012
Austrian Railways Aims for Expansion in SEE
ÖBB (Austrian Railways) wants to establish a new freight subsidiary operating in Southeastern Europe. In Austria, ÖBB performs better than expected.
April 16, 2012
Austrian Railways: Resistance Against Management Arising
The works council as Austrian Railways (ÖBB) wants to prevent the planned reduction in staff. Before that, outsourced service must be reduced, the council states.
January 28, 2012
Austrian Railways Reduced Losses
The Austrian Railways (ÖBB) is still in the red. Nevertheless, losses were lower than initially expected.
January 19, 2012
ÖVP: Privatization of ÖBB “Unrealistic”
A privatization of the Austrian Federal Railways as suggested by Finance Minister Fekter is not an option at the moment.
October 7, 2011
ÖBB with Positive Operating Result in First Half of 2011
The Austrian Federal Railways continue their restructuring program. Management expects to leave the loss zone by 2013.
September 29, 2011
New Board Member at ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG
Siegfried Stumpf succeeds Herwig Wiltberger, who retires from the Board on health reasons at the end of November.
September 22, 2011
ÖBB: “Cargo Business on the Right Track“
The Austrian Federal Railways’ CEO is satisfied with the development of the group’s cargo unit. RCA achieved a positive operating result in the first half of the year.
August 26, 2011
Hungary Considering Buyback of ÖBB’s Rail Cargo Hungaria
The Hungarian state is interested in acquiring a stake in the Austrian Federal Railways’ cargo subsidiary which it privatized in 2008.
June 14, 2011
ÖBB with Capital Injection for Its Italian Freight Business
The Austrian Federal Railways’ subsidiary Linea needs additional funding in order to cover its last year’s losses of € 5.8m.
June 9, 2011
ÖBB: No Sale of Loss-Making Rail Cargo Hungaria
The Austrian Federal Railways want to become market leader in rail cargo in Central and Southeastern Europe. € 30m will be invested in Hungary.
May 27, 2011
Surprisingly Good First Quarter Results for ÖBB
The Austrian Federal Railways achieved earnings of € 4.2m before tax in the first three months of 2011. For the full year, however, the company still forecasts a loss.
May 23, 2011
Massive Losses for Federal Railroad
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) had to report a record loss of € 330m in 2010. CEO Kern speaks of "legacy".
April 30, 2011
Kern Leads an Image Campaign for ÖBB
With humorous content, but caused by the serious situation of the Austrian State Railway, CEO Christian Kern intends to promote greater understanding for the Group.
April 26, 2011
Kern: "We are Struggling for Survival"
The CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Christian Kern, paints a dramatic picture of the largest domestic transport company.
April 8, 2011
ÖBB Restructuring: "There is no other Alternative"
Christian Kern, CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) explains his plans to manage the turnaround in an interview with the magazine "Standard".
March 12, 2011
ÖBB: Cargo Division as Loss-Maker
The continuing crisis of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) is due in large extent to the losses in freight traffic of Rail Cargo Austria (RCA).
March 8, 2011
Brenner Tunnel: ÖBB will not pay
The Austrian Federal Railways will only accept to build the tunnel for € 10bn, if the costs are passed on to the state.
February 22, 2011
Difficulties in ÖBB Restructuring
The Austrian Federal Railways cannot get out of their debt crises. Restructuring of the freight division requires additional funding
February 15, 2011
Tension between ÖBB and ÖVP
The conflict over the finances of the Austrian State Railway between the ÖBB and the ruling ÖVP goes on.
February 8, 2011
ÖBB CEO Kern Closes In on Politicians
The CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), Christian Kern, reacts angrily to accusations made by politicians.
February 5, 2011
ÖBB in "Rebuilding Phase"
The CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways, Christian Kern, sees a new era beginning for the group. He intends to put more focus on performance.
January 22, 2011
Austrian Federal Railways Needs € 400m
Christian Kern, CEO of the Federal Raiways (ÖBB), backed up his call for a capital increase.
January 3, 2011
Drastic Job Cut at ÖBB
The Austrian Federal Railways cuts 650 posts at its freight division Rail Cargo Austria (RCA).
January 1, 2011
Czech Railways Considers to Acquire ÖBB-Railjets
The Austrian Federal Railways doesn´t want to exercise its option to buy further Railjets from Siemens.
December 28, 2010
Allegations of Market Abuse Against ÖBB
The Austrian Federal Railways are facing another accusation by the Federal Competition Authority. Rail Cargo is said to have abused its market power.
December 17, 2010
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