Michael Spindelegger

Austria: First Chancellor’s Duel

Chancellor Werner Faymann (SPÖ) and Deputy Chancellor Michael Spindelegger (ÖVP) had their first official chancellor’s duel on TV on Monday. However, people waiting for a major dispute had been disppointed.

August 27, 2013

Schwarzenberg Criticizes Spindelegger

The former Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg thinks that Austria´s Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger mainly focuses on domestic politics. The CEE region should co-operate closer in future, he claims.

August 24, 2013

Austria: Spindelegger Demands Flexibility of Working Hours

Working hours have become the main issue of the election campaigns. The dispute was incensed by the claims of Minister of Economy Mitterlehner to allow up to twelve hours of work per day.

August 19, 2013

Faymann to Surpass Spindelegger at Trust Index

The APA/OGM trust indest for federal policits in Austria showed an increase of trust for Chancellor Faymann of 2 while Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Spindelegger slips to minus 2.

August 16, 2013

Austria: Spindelegger Wants Reform Government

The next government has to be a “reform government”, according to Austrian Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger, since the one in office now has only shown little reform zeal.

August 9, 2013

Austrian Appointed Head of the OSCE in Albania

Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs congratulates Ambassador Raunig on his appointment as head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

July 22, 2013

Austria: Rumors about Fekter Resigning as Finance Minister after Elections

Will Fekter become President of the National Council after the elections? In government circles speculations are circling about Finance Minister Fekter quitting her post as after the national elections in September.

July 10, 2013

Spindelegger: Fitness Program for Austria

Austrian economy supposed to be boosted by reforms of “Unternehmen Österreich 2025, and a rejection of new taxes.

July 10, 2013

Diplomatic Uproar After Bolivian Emergency Landing in Vienna

After the allegedly forced stop of in Austria, Bolivian President Evo Morales has returned to his home country. International criticism arises, also in regard to Austria’s actions.

July 4, 2013

Snowden Applies For Asylum in Austria

Former US intelligence official Edward Snowden has applied for asylum in several countries, among them Austria, according to WikiLeaks.

July 2, 2013

Austrian Coalition to Take Stock of Legislative Period

In a joint interview with several leading Austrian newspapers, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Deputy Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger take stock of the legislative period so far.

June 28, 2013

EU Accession Talks With Serbia Around the Turn of the Year

The EU Ministers for Foreign and European Affairs agree that EU Accession negotiations with Serbia should commence around the turn of the year.

June 25, 2013

Turkey: Prospects of EU Accession Talks Brighten

Turkey’s prospects of the continuing of the EU Accession negotiations have brightened. During a meeting in Luxembourg several foreign ministers took a much more moderate tone.

June 24, 2013

Alpine to Be Shut Down

Bankrupt-gone construction company Alpine is facing a breaking down. After negotiations about establishing a rescue company failed, the enterprise will apply for a shutdown.

June 24, 2013

Spindelegger: "Clear Signal for Serbia and Kosovo Expected from EU Summit at End of June"

Austrian Vice-Chancellor with Prime Ministers of Serbia and Kosovo at the Europaforum Wachau conference; clear commitment for EU expansion in the Balkans

June 19, 2013

Austria Pulling Back Peacekeepers from Syria-Israel Border

Austria announced to pull back its around 380 peacekeepers from the 1,000-strong UN force out of the Golan from the UNDOF mission after grave incidents occurred in Syria.

June 7, 2013

Austria: Liebscher as Chairman of Hypo Group’s Supervisory Board

Liebscher is to take over Ditz’ position after the meeting of bodies on June 21.

June 5, 2013

Austria: Finance Ministry Regrets Ditz’ Withdrawal

Johannes Ditz, chairman of Hypo Group’s suvervisory board, announced his withdrawal yesterday.

June 4, 2013

Hypo: Ditz to Resign

Chairman of Hypo Group’s supervising board Johannes Ditz might soon resign, according to media reports.

June 3, 2013

Spindelegger: “The Danube and Black Sea Regions Will Bring a Vital Impetus for the Future of Europe in Its Entirety”

“Gateway to Europe” Conference in Krems, Austria

May 16, 2013

Spindelegger: Support for Serbian EU Membership

Vice Chancellor and Exterior Minister Michael Spindelegger has promised full support for Serbia on its way to a full EU membership.

May 6, 2013

Austria: Government Shows Unanimity About Banking Secret

Fekter criticized Social Democrats.

April 30, 2013

Austria: Solution for Bank Secret Issue Until May 22

After the recent turbulances within the Austrian government coalition, Chancellor Werner Faymann hopes to find an agreement with the EU concerning the bank secret until May 22.

April 29, 2013

Spindelegger: "Brave Agreement Between Serbia and Kosovo Important Sign of Liberation for Entire Region"

Win-win agreement should now quickly be implemented to the benefit of the people. The EU will have to deliver on its promise

April 23, 2013

Austria About to Lose Fiscal Secret

The Austrian government declared to negotiate with the EU about the abanonment of the fiscal secret.

April 9, 2013

Barroso: „Existantial Crisis is Over“

President of EU Commission Jose Manuel Barroso came to Vienna to meet with Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger.

April 6, 2013

"Croatia is Paving the Way for the Entire Balkans"

Austria’s Vice Chancellor advocates the commission’s assessment and is looking forward to welcoming Croatia as a new EU member.

March 29, 2013

Spindelegger Criticizes Orban Sharply

Austria´s Vice Chancellor and Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger wants Hungary to “return to the European legal basis”.

March 16, 2013

Austria Welcomes Agreement between Croatia and Slovenia

"The last stumbling block for Croatia's accession to the EU has been removed by solving the Ljubljanska Banka issue."

March 13, 2013

Hungary: Austrian Farmers on the Verge of Dispossession

A new regulation should help Hungarians prevent from "greedy speculators".

March 8, 2013

UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Vienna

The UN Alliance of Civilizations Forum draws a close with the Vienna Declaration. The forum was attended by Heads of State and Global Foreign Ministers.

March 1, 2013

Austria: Controversy About Property Taxes

According to Christian Keuschnigg, director of IHS, property taxes would have a negative impact on economic growth and the employment situation.

February 20, 2013

“Financial transactions tax promotes fairness”

According to Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Spindelegger, the financial transactions tax is strengthening the competitiveness in Europe through targeted reforms.

February 15, 2013

Spindelegger Hopes for “Speedy Conclusion of Free Trade Treaty”

Following the speech by US President Barack Obama, Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger hopes that negotiations on a free trade area between Europe and the US will be initiated shortly.

February 14, 2013

Spindelegger: “Acceptable Result for Austria”

“For Austria, this result is not exactly a reason to be euphoric, but it is important both for Europe and for us that we have managed to reach an agreement.” Austria´s Minister of Foreign Affairs said.

February 12, 2013

Austrian Government May Put Veto Against EU Budget

Members of the Austrian government fear that Austria may lose its discount. The annual loss would come at more than € 180m.

February 5, 2013

Spindelegger Criticizes Cameron

Austria´s Foreign Minister: "Not cherry picking but more Europe is the key".

January 23, 2013

Austrian Government Adopts new Development Programme

The Ministerial Council today adopted the three-year programme of Austrian development cooperation for the period 2013 - 2015. "

December 19, 2012

Annual Assembly of the Municipal Councillors for European Affairs in Vienna

At the second general assembly of the members of the initiative of Municipal Councillors for European Affairs held at Palais Niederösterreich in Vienna today, the 500th member of the initiative was welcomed.

December 18, 2012

"Increasing polarisation in Egypt puts the country's development at stake"

Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger is concerned about latest development in Egypt.

December 6, 2012

"Foreign policy means security policy"

Vice-Chancellor explains Austria's foreign policy commitment in his annual address at the UNA-Austria and demands global nuclear disarmament.

November 28, 2012

"There is no alternative to intercultural and interreligious dialogue"

UN Secretary General and high-ranking political representatives and religious leaders attend the opening of the new Dialogue Centre in Vienna.

November 27, 2012

"Austria remains a reliable partner for Albania on its way towards the EU"

Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger at the opening of the Skanderbeg exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of Albania's independence and 20 years of Austrian development cooperation in Albania

November 26, 2012

“We shall maintain tough position on EU budget until the very end”

Austrian Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger: “unambiguous about Austria’s position on EU financial framework“.

November 22, 2012

EU Budget: Austria Faces Massive Cuts

After the negotiations have failed, the Commission presented a new draft. Major cuts for Austria seem inevitable.

November 14, 2012

“Intensifying the dialogue between the EU and the Arab League"

Austria´s Vice-Chancellor Michael Spindelegger at the meeting of foreign ministers of the Arab League and the EU in Cairo