Keep family state secretary, says Spindelegger

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Politics

Federal Workers Association (ÖAAB) head Michael Spindelegger has said the post of family issues state secretary must not be abolished.Spindelegger, who is also the People’s Party (ÖVP) foreign minister, said today (Tues) that family subjects must have “a face” in the government coalition between his party and the Social Democrats (SPÖ).The ÖAAB boss explained he […]

Poor support for SPÖ-ÖVP after budget revelations

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Politics

Fewer than one out of four Austrians are satisfied with the government’s work, according to a poll.Researchers Karmasin found that just 22 per cent are pleased by the performance of the coalition of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the People’s Party (ÖVP) which took office in December 2008.Sixteen per cent said they were in favour of […]

Air Berlin starts Klagenfurt – Dusseldorf connection

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Business

Bosses at Klagenfurt Airport were relieved to hear the announcement that Air Berlin is launching a connection to one of Germany’s biggest airports today (Thurs), while the public debate about a planned tax on flight tickets intensifies.The German low cost carrier, which cooperates with Vienna-based FlyNiki, started operating between the airport in the provincial capital […]

Ticket tax ‘may slash FlyNiki turnover by €10mn’

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Business

FlyNiki CEO Niki Lauda has claimed the new ticket levy could decrease his firm’s annual turnover by 10 million Euros.The businessman, who founded airline FlyNiki in 2003, said today (Tues): “I expected FlyNiki to have four million passengers this year. The tax might reduce our customer number by 100,000. This would mean 10 million Euros […]

Steinbrück attacks Austrian government over budget delay

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Politics

Former German Social Democratic (SPD) Finance Minister Peer Steinbrück has criticised the Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) for holding back information on the 2011 budget after two provincial elections took place.The Austrian SPÖ government and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) controversially announced it would wait until December to reveal possible higher or new taxes and cuts. […]

VIG to enter Montenegro

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Business

Vienna Insurance Group (VIG) has been granted a concession to offer life insurances in Montenegro.The company said today (Weds) the decision meant it was now active in 24 European countries.VIG, which is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange (WBAG), explained its subsidiary Wiener Städtische zivotno osiguranje Podgorica a.d. will handle operations in the former Yugoslav […]

Denying Greece support ‘dangerous’, Pröll warns

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Josef Pröll has warned of “dangerous developments” as European Union (EU) member states have backed out of the previously agreed upon support package for Greece.Speaking about the Czech Republic’s and Slovakia’s decision not to contribute to the 110-billion-Euro rescue bid agreed upon last May, he said today (Thurs): “Neighbouring countries […]

Austrian oil firms ‘ignore global market rates’

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Business

Austrian petrol firms pointing the finger at international trade developments are red-faced over revelations that they were behind soaring prices.The Federal Austrian Competition Authority (BWB) announced today (Fri) that domestic oil companies did not consider global price levels when it came to establishing the prices of diesel and regular fuel at petrol stations.BWB boss Theodor […]

Erste Bank CEO wants tax on assets

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Finance

The head of Austria’s second-biggest bank has caused a stir by calling for the introduction of a tax on assets.Erste Bank boss Andreas Treichl told weekly magazine News today (Thurs): “A ’decent’ taxation on assets must be set up, of course, as well as (higher) real estate tax levels and inheritance tax.”Treichl also said tax […]

Verbund focuses on investments despite capital increase row

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Business

Verbund chief Wolfgang Anzengruber has said planned investments might be delayed due to the continuing debate over a capital increase.The government has been at odds for weeks over whether it should console the energy provider with 500 million Euros in an overall one-billion-Euro capital increase. The Austrian State holds a 51 per cent interest in […]