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Social Policy
Romania: Pensions Increased by 3.4 %
By a year-on-year basis, pensions in Romania increased in the forth quarter of 2012 by 3.4 % coming up to 786 lei. Out of the total number of pensioniers, 86.1 % receive benefits from the state social insurance.
March 22, 2013
Cyprus: Negotiations About “Plan B“ Today
After days of negotiations in Moscow, Cyprian Finance Minister had to return empty-handed. Talks about “plan B” will continue today.
March 22, 2013
Austria Showing Less Reforming Zeal
According to the so-called „D-A-CH-Reformbarometer“, a study which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce, Austria’s will to reform has diminished.
March 20, 2013
Austria: Welfare Fraud Costs € 1bn Per Year
According to a study, which was commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and carried out by the Johannes-Kepler University in Linz, social fraud causes a smaller amount of economic damage than fiscal evation and black labor.
March 19, 2013
EVN to Start Arbitration Procedure
Today, Austrian power supply company EVN informed the state of Bulgaria about opening arbitration proceedings.
March 19, 2013
Austria: Increasing Demand in Flats
Half of the required flats in Austria are missed in Vienna. Experts have long forcasted the growing need in newly constructed buildings particularly in the city centers.
March 18, 2013
Czech Republic: Opposition Rejects Austerity Measures
Opposition leader Sobotka was re-elected last Friday as chairman of the Social Democrats. In an interview with Reuters he explains why the government needs to slow down on austerity measures.
March 18, 2013
Slovakia: Fico’s Plans For The Future
In a speech at the congress of the Czech senior opposition Social Democrats (CSSD) on Saturday, Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico explained his future plans.
March 18, 2013
Hungary: Dissatisfaction Towards Government Grows
Right-wing leader Viktor Orban has been in parliament for almost three years. But the promised reforms and changes to improve the economic situation came to nothing. Protests are arising.
March 18, 2013
Historical Moment for Serbia And Kosovo
Both governments have come to an agreement, similar to the Treaty on the Basis of Relations (Basic Treaty) between the two German states.
March 16, 2013
Future of the EU Requires Solidarity And Integration
The EU has declared the year 2013 to be the “year of citizens”. The citizens of the EU should become aware of their European identity and their rights that come along with it.
March 15, 2013
Hungary: Orban Rejects Criticisms
After making amendments to the Hungarian constitution, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his leading Fidezs party have to face harsh criticisms. EU Justice Commissoner Viviane Reding announced to take measures.
March 15, 2013
Czech Republic: Population Grows Slightly
In 2012, the population of the Czech Republic increased by 10.7 thousand to 10 516.1 thousand persons.
March 14, 2013
Mignon (PACE) Praises Serbia For Progresses
Today, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) Jean-Claude Mignon gave credit to Serbia’s progress in the execution of reforms and expressed faith in finding solution for the Kosvo issue.
March 12, 2013
Latvia: Increase for Minimum Wages Turned Down
Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis explained that a raise of minimum wages to LVL 303 (€ 428) is not realizable at the moment.
March 12, 2013
Bulgaria: Latest Protests Against Privatizing of Railway
Protesters in three cities gathered to demonstrate against the privatization of the freight division of the Bulgarian state railroads (BDZ).
March 12, 2013
Hungary: Constitutional Amendmends Signed By Vast Majority
EU Commission fears that Hungary’s state institutions will have to experience major restrictions.
March 12, 2013
Hungary: Former President Urges Successor to Veto
Former President Lazlo Solyom warns his follower, President Janos Ader,in a dramatic speech of the end of checks and balances in Hungary’s political system.
March 11, 2013
Bulgaria: „Eagle’s Bridge“-Protests Start Today
Other meetings of protest representatives are taking place in Gabrov today to elect a committee for further negotiations with government.
March 9, 2013
Serbia: Number of Dwellings Rose Substantially
Today, the Serbian Statistical Office has published the Census of Population, Households and Dwellings.
March 8, 2013
CZ: President Klaus Leaving Presidential Office
After having been in office for ten years, Czech President Vaclav Klaus left Prague Castle. Today, Friday March 8, his sucessor Milos Zeman is going to be sworn in.
March 8, 2013
Austria: Minor Increase of Age for Pension
Despite of reforms concerning the pension system and a raise for the pension entitlement, only a slight increase was noticed.
March 7, 2013
Hungary: Incoming National Economy Minister Summarizes Targets
Succeeding Minister of National Economy Mihály Varga outlined economic policy cornerstones
March 7, 2013
Leitl: "Restructuring Instead of Cashing in"
Christoph Leitl, head of WKO (Austrian Chamber of Commerce), dismisses further plans for a tax hike. The outcome would be fatal and the economy exposed to threats.
March 6, 2013
Austrian Development Funds: Programme Approved
“ADA has over 110 million euros funding for operative development cooperation work in 2013” the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.
March 6, 2013
Latvia: Eager for the Euro. But ready?
Latvia’s leadership considers adopting the Euro in 2015 or 2016. Despite of showing the fastest economic growth rate at 5.1 % in Europe, there is scepticism Latvian population.
March 4, 2013
Bulgaria „Protests are Useless“
In an interview with the Austrian daily newspaper „Standard“, Bulgarian author Ilija Trojanov explains why the situation in Bulgaria is rather hopeless.
March 1, 2013
Austrian Budget: Pensions as Risk Factor
Until 2017, the additional burden has a size of € 1.0bn, Austrian Minister of Finance Maria Fekter says in an interview with “Presse”.
February 28, 2013
Poland: Rostowki’s Fight for the Euro
Even though Poland’s rating outlook has been revised from “A-“ to “A” by Fitch it still has to face political reforms in order to improve its economic competitiveness.
February 24, 2013
Bulgaria: Protests Continue in Sofia and Varna
Bulgarian political decisions are afflicted by extreme unpopularity as almost 60 % of the population suffers from immediate poverty. Riots continue in Sofia and Varna.
February 24, 2013
Hungary: Government Demonstrates Optimism
Peter Szijjarto, spokesman of Prime Minister Viktor Orban´s party Fidesz, believes that Hungary´s economy will perform well this year.
February 23, 2013
Bulgarian Government Resigns
This step came as a surprise. Before, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov rejected to step down. In April, the country will hold new elections.
February 20, 2013
S&P Warns Austria of Election Gifts
This year, Austria will hold federal elections. According to S&P, expensive election gifts may reduce the credit rating outlook.
February 19, 2013
Austria: Number of Naturalisations Increases
7 107 persons acquired Austrian citizenship in 2012.
February 18, 2013
Estonians Suffer from Unfavorable Working Conditions
According to a survey carried out by the daily newspaper Eesti Päevaleht, a considerably high number of Estonians want to leave the country. The situation in Lativa is almost the same.
February 18, 2013
IMF Praises Lithuania´s Economic Recovery
According to the International Monetary Fund, the income redistribution is not sufficient. In general, Lithuania´s economic performance is satisfying, however.
February 16, 2013
Fekter Wants to Reduce „Ageing Costs“
Austria´s Minister of Finance Maria Fekter thinks that pension cuts are inevitable. The social democrats reject Fekter´s ideas.
February 15, 2013
Austrian Population at Record Level
Last year, Austria's population rose in 2012 by about 45 000 people. In total, the country has 8.5 million inhabitants.
February 15, 2013
Austria Records Highest Unemployment of All Times
With 410,000 job-seekers, unemployment has never been higher. Nevertheless, Austria has the lowest unemployment quota in the EU.
February 1, 2013
Slovenia: Government Collapses
Yesterday in the evening, the conservative coalition member CL has terminated the co-operation with Prime Minister Janez Jansa´s party SDS. Not only the political situation in Slovenia is precarious, but also the economic outlook is highly uncertain.
January 24, 2013
Fitch: Austria´s Public Debt to Double
Due to the demographic trends, Austria faces a pension shock, Fitch says.
January 23, 2013
Fico: „Privatizations Were Our Biggest Mistake“
Slovakia´s Prime Minister Robert Fico thinks that the austerity policy in Europe is the wrong way.
January 21, 2013
IMF to Visit Serbia Again
The International Monetary Fund underlines that Serrbia must reduce its public debt. At the same time, the government must stimulate economic growth, IMF says.
January 18, 2013
Hungary: Poverty Grows Dramatically
More than 33% of Hungary´s citizens are at risk of poverty. Among the EU countries, Hungary ranks fifth.
January 16, 2013
Poverty: Romanian and Bulgarian Citizens Most Endangered
Regarding the poverty rate, Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Greece and Lithuania are significantly above the EU average.
January 9, 2013
Austrian Industry Against Short-Time Work
According to IV (Federation of Austrian Industries), short-time work is too expensive.
January 8, 2013
Austria: Black Labor Decreases
Since 2004, the size of black labor is declining in Austria. Nine years ago, the share of GDP came at 11%: In 2012, black labor was 7.5% of GDP.
January 8, 2013
Austrian Industry: „Cutting Non-Wage Labor Costs!“
The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) suggests boosting employment by reducing non-wage labor costs.
January 5, 2013
Aiginger Praises and Criticizes Austria´s Economic Policy
Although Austria´s economic situation is relatively satisfying, there is much improvement potential, the economist Karl Aiginger says.
January 5, 2013
Poland: Government to Focus on Family and Employment
Poland´s Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that the government aims to create more than 400,000 jobs this year.
January 4, 2013
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