Meglena Kuneva has claimed Bulgarians lack mutual trust. The former European Commissioner for Consumer Protection – who runs for Bulgarian president next month – told Austrian newspaper Die Presse today (Mon) it was “impossible” to discuss the domestic economy’s development because of the various “lobbies” in the federal parliament. Kuneva also criticised the state of […]
A vast majority of Austrians disapprove the European Union’s (EU) light bulb regulation. The EU’s decision to order an end to the production of regular light bulbs is widely considered as one of the most controversial steps taken by lawmakers in the past years. The decree was passed in an attempt to improve the protection […]
The international operations of the only Austrian bank which failed the most recent stress test on financial institutes in Europe have been taken over by Russia’s biggest bank. The contract between Volksbank AG (ÖVAG) and Sberbank was signed in Vienna yesterday (Thurs). ÖVAG and Sberbank agreed on a sale of Volksbank International (VBI) already in […]
Almost 2,800 surveillance cameras have been set up at council houses in Vienna in the past three years, city officials announced yesterday (Weds). Social Democratic (SPÖ) Housing Councillor Michael Ludwig said 2,769 camera systems were installed at the so-called Gemeindebau housing estates which have been subsidised and managed by the city since autumn 2008. The […]
Lawmakers have presented a new awareness campaign to further increase kids’ safety in cars as the number of unprotected young passengers is in decline. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Traffic Minister Doris Bures announced yesterday (Weds) 5,526 drivers were reprimanded or fined for failing to buckle up children in their vehicles last year, down sharply from 2007 […]
A Tyrolean town has rejected a group of Turkish businesspeople’s appeal to run a school. A commission formed by Rum Town Hall officials announced yesterday (Tues) it unanimously agreed to veto the endeavour. Turkish investors and retail trade entrepreneurs asked decision-makers whether they could create and manage a private school. The group aimed at setting […]
Austria will not compete in next year’s European Football Championship in Poland and Ukraine after failing to beat Turkey last night (Tues). The team of Dietmar Constantini only reached a goalless draw against the squad managed by former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink at the sold-out Ernst Happel Stadium. Around one third of the 47,000 fans […]
One of the country’s most influential politicians of the past 20 years has stepped down. Wolfgang Schüssel announced today (Mon) he decided to retire as member of the federal parliament (MP). The move comes after increasing pressure on the former chancellor in connection with alleged fraud and stock market value manipulation carried out by former […]
Federal President Heinz Fischer has been criticised for backing calls for higher taxes on assets. The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the federal parliament (MP) said yesterday (Sun) he worried about the social peace and balance in the country. Fischer said he would like to put the opinion that Austria’s rich must not be […]
Private businesses have higher payment morale than public institutions, research has shown. KSV 1870 (KSV), a federal association for the protection of creditors, said yesterday (Thurs) debtors in Austria paid up after an average 30 days. The organisation – which investigated payment statistics in June – explained it took 38 days until public institutions like […]