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OEVP Austrian Peoples Party
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Green Party: ESM Approval Depends on Financial Transaction Tax

The Austrian Green party will only vote for the ESM if there is a basic consent for the financial transaction tax.
June 22, 2012


Government´s Plans on Bank Insolvency Law Failed

The Austrian government initially planned to initiate a bank insolvency law in order to liquidate financially stricken banks without major difficulties. Now, the plan has failed.
June 22, 2012
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Uncertain Future for ÖIAG

After CEO Markus Beyrer announced to resign, a new debate about the future of the publicly held Austrian industrial holding emerged.
June 19, 2012


A “Speech to Austria”? No.

The disenchantment with politics in Austria is as big as never before. An ambitious, but meaningless speech of Vice-Chancellor Spindelegger will not change the misery.
May 15, 2012
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Labor Time: Resistance Against SPÖ´s Plans

The governing Social-Democrats want to reduce labor time. Industrialists, the Chamber of Commerce and FPÖ decline that idea.
April 17, 2012


Austria and Switzerland Signed Tax Treaty

Austria´s Finance Minister Fekter signed the tax treaty with her Swiss colleague Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf. In 2013, additional tax intake of € 1.0bn is expected.
April 14, 2012


Fekter to Remain as Finance Minister

This week, rumors on the replacement of the Austrian Finance Minister Maria Fekter occurred. Claus Raidl, who was said to replace Fekter, denies this.
April 13, 2012


Telekom Austria: Pecik Denies Sales Talks

The Austrian investor Ronny Pecik is said to have had sales talks with China Mobile. Pecik reaffirms to remain at Telekom Austria as “long-term investor”.
March 19, 2012


Wirtschaftsbund: Leitl Re-Elected

Christoph Leitl, President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, has been re-elected as chairman of Wirtschaftsbund. 92.7% of the delegates voted for Leitl.
March 10, 2012
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Public Dispute Over Privatizations

The two government parties disagree to the sale of further publicly held companies. ÖVP pushes for privatizations, for SPÖ the idea is inacceptable.
February 29, 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


Austrian Government Resolves Austerity Package

Speculation terms on real estate will be abolished, the tax privilege on 13th and 14th salary too. Inheritance taxes or enrollment fees will not be re-introduced.
February 9, 2012


Austerity Package Takes Form

Although negotiations over the austerity package are not finished, first details are already known.
February 7, 2012


Government: Dispute Over Pensions

The Austrian government parties SPÖ and ÖVP disagree over contributions by retirees. The austerity package is far from being resolved.
February 6, 2012
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Austerity: ÖVP Becomes Impatient

Negotiations between the coalition partners SPÖ and ÖVP are going on. ÖVP´s chairman Spindelegger locates an “incredibly big need of consolidation”.
January 31, 2012


ÖVP Does Not Exclude New Taxes Anymore

Against previous statements, the head of the Austrian conservatives, Michael Spindelegger, considers to introduce new taxes.
January 9, 2012


Austria Grants Highest Subsidies in Europe

In 2010, subsidies amounting to 6.5% of the Austrian GDP were distributed. The EU-average is only the half.
January 7, 2012


Austerity Package: Business Association Warns of New Taxes

New taxes would be an “attack against the economy”, general secretary Peter Haubner says.
January 4, 2012


Government: Different Opinions on Taxation

The social democrats want to re-introduce the inheritance tax. The people´s party plans to raise tax quotas for the 13th and 14th salary.
January 3, 2012
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Austrian Enterprises Fear Nationalization in Hungary

Nationalization plans induce fierce criticism against the Hungarian Government. The Austrian waste management industry would be hit hard.
January 2, 2012


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


Austrian Post: Privatization Is Not Planned

The trade union of post employees wants to lower the dividends. Privatization plans have not been discussed yet.
December 8, 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


Opposition Not Convinced: „Debt Brake“ Fails

The Austrian government´s plans to introduce a “debt brake” in the constitution has failed. The three opposition parties are against the idea.
December 5, 2011
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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


Austerity Measures or New Taxes?

The Austrian government has to reduce its deficits, after having announced the “debt break”. The social democrats call for property taxes.
November 19, 2011


Spindelegger: Cost Cuts and Privatizations to Save Triple-A

Annual interest payments would grow by € 3bn if Austria was downgraded by one notch.
November 11, 2011


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


Dispute Over A-Tec´s Liquidation

After the Sale of the insolvent Austrian A-Tec has failed, the subsidiaries will be sold separately. Austrian politicians warn of the loss of jobs, technology and tax revenue.
October 3, 2011
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Austrian Minister of Science: € 1.00bn for Universities

Karlheinz Töchterle (ÖVP), announced that Austrian universities may receive € 1.00bn from 2013 to 2015 separately. However, critics already commented the plan.
September 12, 2011


Ex-Chancellor Schüssel Resigns from Parliament

Wolfgang Schüssel retires from the political stage as a consequence of the market manipulation and corruption affair at Telekom Austria.
September 5, 2011


“Telekom, Post and OMV Could Be Privatized Immediately”

Karlheinz Kopf calls for privatizations in the infrastructure sector. Last year, the Austrian state earned € 244m from its shareholdings.
September 5, 2011


Mitterlehner with Plans for Reform of ÖIAG

The Minister of Economics intends to reposition the Austrian state holding company. Markus Beyrer, the new CEO, is currently evaluating new concepts.
July 25, 2011


Resistance to Privatization Plans

The SPÖ criticized the plans of its coalition partner ÖVP to reduce public participation in order to abate debt.
May 10, 2011
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Vienna International Airport: Kirschner is the New Chairman of the Supervisory Board

Ewald Kirschner will temporarily lead the Supervisory Board until CEO Christoph Herbst takes over the chair again. Opinions are divided concerning the privatization of the company.
April 27, 2011


Lower Austria Seeks Airport Privatization

Lower Austrian Governor Erwin Pröll (ÖVP) intends to sell the 20% share of Vienna International Airport. The city of Vienna is not pleased at all.
April 23, 2011


Austrian Government Reshuffle has been Completed

The resignation of Josef Pröll triggered a reshuffle in the ÖVP. Most of the positions have been filled by now.
April 22, 2011


Herbst’s Withdrawal is Imminent

The CEO of Vienna International Airport, Christoph Herbst, should be about to resign. He is considered to be seeking a position at the Constitutional Court.
April 22, 2011


Maria Fekter is the New Finance Minister

As part of the changes in the ÖVP government team, Minister for Internal Affairs Maria Fekter changes over to the more prestigious Ministry of Finance
April 16, 2011
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Spindelegger New Vice-Chancellor and Head of ÖVP

Michael Spindelegger succeeds Josef Pröll as leader of the conservative party and Vice-Chancellor. Who will be in charge of the Minister of Finance, is still not clear.
April 15, 2011


Vice-Chancellor Pröll Resigns

The Minister of Finance and Vice-Chancelor of Austria, Josef Pröll, decides to leave the political arena.
April 13, 2011


No Sale of ÖBB-Power Plants

The proposal that the Austrian Federal Railways sell its assets rather than increase its capital meets with vehement rejection.
March 23, 2011


Molterer Nominated as Vice-President of the EIB

Former Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister Wilhelm Molterer is nominanted as candidate for Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
February 23, 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


SPÖ against expanding the ÖIAG

The expansion urged by Industrial Association and the ÖVP meets the resistance of the Social Democratic coalition partner.
February 15, 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


WIFO Promotes Expansion of the State Holding

The Director of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research wants to concentrate all Austrian state-owned enterprises in the ÖIAG.
February 5, 2011


ÖIAG: Markus Beyrer is the New Chairman

The so far Secretary General of the Industriellenvereinigung (Industrial Federation), Markus Beyrer, is Peter Michaelis’s successor on the board of the ÖIAG.
February 2, 2011


Demand for Elimination of the ÖIAG

IAs part of the succession process for the CEO position at the Austrian industrial holding (ÖIAG) political representatives are increasingly imposing conditions.
January 27, 2011


ÖIAG: Industrialist Beyrer is Favorite

In the discussion about the succession for the state holding company OIAG, the Secretary General of the IV (Federation of Austrian Industries), Markus Beyrer, is a favorite.
January 25, 2011