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Constitutional Court of Austria VfGH
Gas Drilling in Molln: Economic Interests vs. Nature Conservation
The debate about gas drilling in Molln in the Kirchdorf district continues to intensify. While the Australian-Austrian company ADX Energy wants to expand its exploration efforts, opposition from environmental associations and political representatives is growing. The Constitutional Court (VfGH) has now issued a ruling that could have far-reaching consequences for future drilling projects.
February 13, 2025
Talks Between Austria and the Taliban on Deportations to Afghanistan
The Austrian Ministry of the Interior has held talks at the official level with representatives of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to explore the possibility of returning rejected asylum seekers. A delegation consisting of two high-ranking officials from the ministry was in the Afghan capital Kabul for this purpose.
January 24, 2025
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
Brigitte Bierlein is Dead: Austria Mourns the Loss of its First Female Chancellor
Brigitte Bierlein, Austria's first female chancellor, has died at the age of 74. The Constitutional Court (VfGH) announced the news of her death, of which Bierlein had been a member for around 16 years. She succumbed to a short, serious illness. Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer paid tribute to Bierlein as an outstanding personality who had served the country faithfully in many functions.
June 3, 2024
EU Commission Expresses Concerns About Austria's Judicial System
In its published rule of law report, the EU Commission expressed several concerns about Austria. In principle, the independence of the Austrian judicial system is highly regarded, the country-specific document states.
July 12, 2023
Vienna Rays of Hope "Lichtblicke" 2022 Opened
Until November 27, twelve Viennese locations will be transformed into so-called Chromotopia with white light lines and light images visible from afar. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Coeln, international artists are designing light interventions that can be seen in the evening and early morning hours and invite participation. For the first time, there will also be augmented reality, which will allow virtual light objects to float in the Chromotopia and merge with the light images.
October 2, 2022
Brigitte Bierlein to Become Austria's First Female Chancellor
The President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Austria is to be appointed interim Federal Chancellor in a few days. Clemens Jabloner becomes Vice-Chancellor and Justice Minister. Alexander Schallenberg becomes Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Affairs.
May 30, 2019 · Updated: May 30, 2019; 18:23
Clemens Jabloner Nominated Austrian Vice-Chancellor and Justice Minister
The former President of the Austrian Administrative Court for many years (1993 - 2013) and current University Professor of Legal Theory at the University of Vienna, Dr. Clemens Jabloner (70), is to become interim Vice-Chancellor and Justice Minister. This was announced by the new Austrian Interim Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein.
May 30, 2019 · Updated: May 30, 2019; 16:15
Alexander Schallenberg Appointed Austrian Foreign Minister and Minister for European Affairs
The new Austrian Interim Chancellor Ms. Brigitte Bierlein has declared her intention to appoint career diplomat and lawyer Dr. Alexander Schallenberg (50) as Karin Kneissl's successor and thus designated interim Foreign Minister and Minister for European Affairs.
May 30, 2019
Vienna International Airport Permitted to Build Third Runway
The Austrian Administrative Court has rejected objections from citizens' initiatives and residents and confirmed the authorization for the construction of the third runway at Vienna Schwechat Airport (Flughafen Wien Schwechat).
March 21, 2019
Asylum Law: Duration of Proceedings at Austrian Supreme Courts Decreases
The duration of proceedings in asylum cases at the two Austrian Supreme Courts, Constitutional Court of Austria (VfGH) and Supreme Administrative Court of Austria (VwGH), is continuously decreasing.
April 10, 2018
Money Laundering: RBI Is Fined EUR 2.7 Million
The Austrian Financial Market Authority (FMA) has imposed the highest fine ever imposed by the FMA, i.e. a fine of EUR 2.748 million against Raiffeisen Bank International AG.
April 1, 2018
Constitutional Court: Bank Taxes in Line with Constitution
A complaint over bank taxes by Austrian banks was disapproved. According to the court, banks were primarily responsible for the economic crisis.
February 3, 2012
Constitutional Court Cancels Starting Date of New Capital Gains Tax
The Court has no objections to the new capital gains tax itself. Only the starting date for automatic collection by the banks was declared unconstitutional.
June 24, 2011
Retail Sector: New Discussion about Sunday Opening
The current dispute is about the right to open shops on certain lucrative Sundays. The operator of a shopping center has brought in an action at the Constitutional Court.
June 20, 2011
Austria's Credit Industry Appeals to the Constitutional Court
The price gains tax introduced as of January 1, 2011 encounters legal resistance. The Banking Division of the Chamber of Commerce announced a complaint of unconstitutionality.
February 2, 2011
Bank Taxes: „Job Cuts or Price Increase”
According to Michael Ikrath, bank representative of the “Sparkassen”, the new charges for Austrian banks are the highest in Europe.
January 17, 2011
Bank Austria CEO Cernko: Austrian Banks Fight Securities Tax
The CEO of Bank Austria, Willibald Cernko, was interviewed by the newspaper “Kurier”. He announced that Austrian Banks will call the Constitutional Court.
December 29, 2010
Foundations: Greater Legal Certainty for Founders
A new amendment to Austrian private foundations law allows more clarity for private founders.
December 22, 2010
Complaint of Unconstitutionality against Securities Capital Gains Tax
Austria banks and investment companies file a complaint before the Constitutional Court against the as of next year introduced tax on securities capital gains.
December 14, 2010
Expansion Potential of Austrian Pharmaceutical Industry in Japan
Japanese pharmaceutical companies need new products and international cooperation. An opportunity for local companies.
December 1, 2010
Bank Tax: Constitutional Concerns
Banks are to contribute a fixed tax amount based on the values given for 2010 for three years. Constitutional jurists consider this modus operandi as "highly questionable".
November 8, 2010
Property Tax is Not Unconstitutional
Property tax is constitutionally unobjectionable; concerns about unit values for calculation of income tax for foundations are however maintained for now.
October 15, 2010
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