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OEVP Austrian Peoples Party
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Demands for Financial Transactions Tax
The Chairman of the Austrian Provincial Governors’ Conference, Josef Pühringer, demands the introduction of a pan-European financial transactions tax.
January 7, 2011
OMV: Market Predicts Capital Increase
Due to acquisitions and the rating situation, analysts expect a capital increase of Austria's energy group.
January 7, 2011
Skylink: Resignation of Executive Board or Supervisory Board
The Vienna Airport Skylink debacle is becoming a political issue. Staffing decisions have been made.
December 14, 2010
Wikileaks: Criticism of Austrian Politicians by the U.S.
The critical view on Austria's leading politicians on part of the U.S. is written down in the recent revelations of the Wikileaks platform.
December 5, 2010
New Regulations for Bank Managers' Bonuses
Additional compensations for managers in the banking sector are subject to new regulations approved by the Austrian National Council. Payments will be deferred in time.
December 5, 2010
Michaelis Leaves Austria's State Holding Company
The contract of Peter Michaelis, Chairman of The State Holding Company OIAG, expires in June 2011. There is disagreement over the succession in the government.
December 3, 2010
Vienna International Airport: Decisions on Personnel are Postponed
The previously rumored change of leadership at Vienna International Airport is not taking place yet. There is time until mid-December for the board, highly criticized because of Skylink.
November 26, 2010
Walter Grahammer Becomes the New Austrian Ambassador in Brussels
Previously, Grahammer acted as Head in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
November 24, 2010
Austerity Package: Resistance from the Federal Provinces
While cries for savings are getting louder in the provinces, declarations of both consensus and objections come from the provincial capital cities
November 8, 2010
OMV: Republic of Austria Will Hold On to Its Stake
An informal consultation is said to have been held between the governing parties to keep the government stake in OMV, should there be a capital increase.
October 27, 2010
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