Austria has been criticised for its high public debts. The European Commission (EC) announced yesterday (Weds) the country – which became a member of the European Union (EU) in 1995 – must do more to reduce its debts. The state’s debt ranges around 74 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). EU rules say […]
A real estate expert has expressed concerns about property prices in Austria. Thomas Malloth told the Kurier today (Thurs): “The question is whether the middle class will manage to afford it in the near future if things keep developing this way.” Malloth said annual statistics reveal that all kinds of properties – cheap flats in […]
The European Commission (EC) has praised Austria’s employment policies. The EC said yesterday (Weds) other European Union (EU) member countries should examine the Austrian education and traineeship systems to achieve a turnaround as joblessness keeps climbing across the continent. Fewer than 322,000 people were unemployed in Austria last month, according to the Federal Labour Market […]
One in five Austrians consider Viennese Archbishop Christoph Cardinal Schönborn as a reactionary clergyman. Public opinion research group Karmasin found that 20 per cent of people think that Schönborn, the highest representative of the Roman Catholic Church in Austria and head of the Conference of Bishops, has a conservative attitude. The poll – for which […]
TV consumers in Austria must pay higher taxes from Friday. The ORF licence fee increases by seven per cent as of 1 June. The rise was agreed on last November when ORF general director Alexander Wrabetz justified it as “moderate”. Political decision-makers and telecommunications regulation authority KommAustria gave the go-ahead to the disputed tax hike. […]
Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann has warned from a Greek Eurozone exit. Faymann said such a scenario would be “very risky” and include “many yet unknown aspects”. Faymann said: “No one can predict where this would lead. The only thing that can be said with certainty is that it would all be very expensive […]
The number of winter season overnight stays by Austrians has reached a new record. Around 15.3 million overnight stays by Austrians were registered across the country between November 2011 and April 2012. People’s Party (ÖVP) Economy and Tourism Minister Reinhold Mitterlehner announced: “Austrians gave the domestic economy a boost and ensured a strong level of […]
The government is intensifying its attempts to pass a transparency package in parliament. The Social Democrats (SPÖ) and their coalition partner, the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP), arranged meetings with representatives of the parliament’s three opposition factions to debate details about the planned amendment. The law is set to create stricter rules regarding the subsidisation of […]
Telekom Austria (TA) investor Ronny Pecik has declared himself a team player. The businessman – who cooperated with an Egyptian entrepreneur about increasing his stake in the firm to around 21 per cent over the past months – told radio station Ö1 today (Thurs): “I consider myself a team player. I don’t plan a fire […]
The general secretary of the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) has appealed on Europe’s political leaders to strengthen the continent’s industry. Christoph Neumayer told the Kurier that the European Union (EU) should concentrate on creating ideal circumstances for its industrial sector. Neumayer claimed such a strategy would help in getting through the economic crisis. The […]