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Democracy
Vienna Selected as European Capital of Democracy 2024/25
Vienna, the Austrian capital, will hold the prestigious title of "European Capital of Democracy" for one year from October 2024. This award follows a decision by a Europe-wide online vote, in which Vienna prevailed against cities such as Bratislava, Leipzig, Gdansk, and Izmir. The awarding of the title, which was previously held by Barcelona, was initiated by the non-profit organization European Capital of Democracy.
February 20, 2024
Promotion of Democracy in the Age of AI by the U.S. Embassy in Vienna
The U.S. Embassy in Austria, in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), recently hosted renowned AI ethics and policy expert Merve Hickok for an important dialog on global challenges. This initiative is part of the "U.S.-Austria Citizen Dialogue on Global Challenges".
January 22, 2024
Democracy in Crisis: How Austria's Democracy Index Reveals Alarming Trends
In recent years, democracy in Austria seemed to be on a good path. But the current Democracy Index raises eyebrows: The state of the democratic infrastructure is stagnating, and in some areas, there has even been regression. There is particular cause for concern in the areas of fundamental rights and the media landscape. But why is that and what can be done to counteract it?
October 26, 2023
Time to Decide Europe Summit to Address Urgent Questions Facing the Continent
The Time to Decide Europe Summit, a one-day conference co-organized by ERSTE Foundation and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), is set to address the most pressing dilemmas posed by the war in Europe. The conference will bring together prominent thinkers, political scientists, and economists to untangle the urgent questions facing Europe today and offer insights into the future of the continent.
May 11, 2023
Polish President Says that We Should Not Be Afraid of Russia
Polish President Andrzej Duda met with Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen in Vienna. There he assured further military support for Ukraine
April 18, 2023
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
The Rising Cost of Living Is the Biggest Concern for Austrians
A study conducted by the Institute for Empirical Social Research (IFES) on behalf of the trade union GPA shows that – among other things – the rise of living cost are causing the biggest headaches for Austrians. Other subjects of worry are the worsening of the healthcare system and the rising gap between the poor and rich.
December 31, 2022
First Austrian Democracy Congress Organized
Democracy is experiencing a crisis of confidence globally and is under threat, also in Austria the last years showed the breach of trust between people and democracy. The Central European University, SORA and the Wiener Zeitung are jointly organizing the first Austrian Democracy Congress on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Experts from science and practice will discuss how to promote trust and strengthen democracy.
November 27, 2022
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
Low Satisfaction with Democracy in Austria
According to a survey called Democracy Radar by the Austrian Democracy Lab (ADL) of Danube University Krems and the University of Graz, Austrians' satisfaction with their democracy remains low. According to the ADL, only 61 percent of respondents believe that democracy in Austria functions very well or rather well.
August 22, 2022
European Forum Alpbach Gets Ready for Its 2022 Event
The date for the European Forum Alpbach was recently set by the organizers and will take place between August 21 and September 2. The event, which is a great networking opportunity, is focusing on a new program design this year. If you are interested in what is on the program and which days are best to visit, then read on now.
April 5, 2022
Putin's Aggression Against Ukraine as a Trigger for the Flare-up of the Austrian Neutrality Debate
Russia's fabricated pretext for war, Russian use of disinformation to distract and deflect responsibility and eventually Russia's invasion of Ukraine could become the turning point for Austria's security policy. Parliamentary groups discussed Austria's position in the field of tension between neutrality, NATO accession and the EU army.
March 23, 2022
Ukrainian President to Austria's Chancellor: "Don't know how long Ukraine will exist"
The situation in Ukraine is highly dramatic, Austria's Chancellor Nehammer reported from a telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The latter had requested to stand by his country, which was under attack by Russia.
February 25, 2022
Meet the New Resident Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, HE Mr. Stelian Stoian
The new Permanent Representative of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna, Mr. Stelian Stoian, recently presented his credentials to the heads of the various organizations. Learn more about Mr. Stoian.
February 23, 2022
Federal President: "Blatant violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity"
Austria's Federal President Van der Bellen condemns Putin's recognition of the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas of Luhansk and Donetsk and his order to invade eastern Ukraine.
February 22, 2022
German and Austrian EU Ministers Supportive of Accession Process for Western Balkans
German EU Minister Anna Lührmann met with Austrian EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler in Vienna. Read what they said about EU accession for the Western Balkan states, compulsory vaccination, and more.
February 1, 2022
#WeRemember: Heads of Austrian, German, and Israeli Parliaments Meet Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day
German Bundestag President Bärbel Bas and Israeli Knesset President Mickey Levy recently met with Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka in Berlin to discuss the fight against anti-Semitism and the #WeRemember campaign. Read about their meeting and this important campaign ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
January 26, 2022
Van der Bellen: New Year's Address to the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna
President Van der Bellen delivered his New Year's address to the Diplomatic Corps in Vienna. He talked about the climate crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Read what the president said and watch his speech.
January 24, 2022
Priorities of Austrian Foreign Policy in the Face of Numerous Global Challenges in 2022
The Foreign Policy Committee of the Austrian National Council recently met to discuss some of the major global challenges going into 2022. Read which issues they discussed and Austria's stance on them.
December 15, 2021
Migration: Expansion of Value and Orientation Courses for Asylum Seekers Planned
Integration Minister Susanne Raab announced that the mandatory values and orientation courses for asylum seekers will be expanded to include three days of lessons rather than just one. Read more about the expansion of the program and what will be taught.
November 12, 2021
The Chancellor on National Day: "No island of the blessed"
Chancellor Schallenberg delivered an address on the Austrian National Day at the Heldenplatz in Vienna. The chancellor reflected on the successes of Austria since 1945 and its response to recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the terrorist attack in Vienna. Read what he said.
October 27, 2021
The Virtual Open Day at the Austrian Parliament
The Austrian Parliament Open Day will take place virtually on the upcoming Austrian National Day. Read about the event, how to participate in it, and what National Council President Sobotka said about it.
October 21, 2021
Call for Solidarity for China Sanctioned States Including Taiwan
A motion for a resolution was filed in the Austrian Parliament calling for the Austrian government to support countries, such as Taiwan, sanctioned by China for supporting democracy, human rights, and other global values. Read about the motion and the reasoning behind it.
October 21, 2021
100 Speakers of Parliament Meet in Vienna
Over 100 speakers of parliament met at the Austria Center Vienna for the Fifth World Conference of the Speakers of Parliament. President of the Austrian National Council Wolfgang Sobotka spoke about the international community finding internal solutions to global problems. Duarte Pacheco and Martin Chungong, the President and Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), defended democracy and human rights and spoke about the robustness of parliaments during the COVID-19 crisis.
September 10, 2021
City Diplomacy: What Connects the German-Speaking Capitals Berlin, Bern and Vienna
Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller, Mayor of Bern Alec von Graffenried, and Mayor of Vienna Michael Ludwig met in Vienna to exchange experiences and learn from each other. The three mayors drew up a joint declaration that addressed climate change, affordable housing, economic resiliency from the COVID-19 pandemic, and democracy and the rule of law.
August 19, 2021
Belarusian Opposition Leader Meets Van der Bellen, Kurz and Schallenberg
During her working visit to Vienna, the Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya met with Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in order to discuss the continued support from Austria for the efforts of the Belarusian opposition and civil society.
April 30, 2021
Edtstadler Welcomes European Democracy Action Plan
The European Commission has presented the European Democracy Action Plan with which the EU wants to promote basic human rights values and democracy worldwide. Austria's EU Minister Edtstadler welcomes this initiative and demands a clear focus on the digital area of the plan.
December 4, 2020
Belarusian Opposition Leader in Vienna
The Belarusian opposition leader Tikhanovskaya visited Vienna to hold meetings with representatives of Austrian and European politics. Chancellor Kurz thanked Tikhanovskaya for her "tireless efforts" and reaffirmed Austria's support for a democratic Belarus.
November 6, 2020
International Discussion About Europe's Fundamental Values in Salzburg
Politicians from Hungary, Srpska, Albania, Slovakia and Austria came together in Salzburg to discuss the fundamental values of Europe. Democracy, inner-European cooperation and the fight against Covid-19 were only some of the main topics.
September 29, 2020
European Capital of Democracy Coming Soon
The newly formed initiative "European Capital of Democracy" will try to give civilization more access to democracy by supporting activities and events that aim to improve and strengthen democracy. The first capital will be selected next year.
September 21, 2020
International Day of Democracy: Collection of Initiatives for Promoting Democracy
The IPU in cooperation with the Austrian parliament has issued a report that comprises best-practice examples of how countries promote democracy among the population, especially among the youth and young adults.
September 15, 2020
Chinese Ambassador in Vienna Warns with China's Intervention in Hong Kong
Li Xiaosi, the Chinese ambassador in Austria, has repeated the demands known from Beijing in an interview in the Ö1-Mittagsjournal and threatened with an intervention by China in the continuing violent protests in Hong Kong.
August 20, 2019
Austrian Parliament: Termination of EU Accession Negotiations with Turkey, Extension of Sanctions against Russia
In a statement to the government, the EU Main Committee of the Austrian National Council has unanimously spoken out in favour of breaking off EU accession negotiations with Turkey. Instead, the parliamentary groups believe that a strategic partnership should be sought.
June 21, 2019
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