Waving Habsburg appeal angers conservatives

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Politics

A Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the Austrian parliament (MP) has waded into controversy by suggesting asking the Habsburgs to wave from the balcony of a tourism hotspot. SPÖ whip Josef Cap said in parliament yesterday (Thurs) members of the Habsburg family – who ruled vast parts of Central Europe for decades – could “wave […]

ÖVP focuses on core group as critics attack Kurz

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Politics

New People’s Party (ÖVP) General Secretary Hannes Rauch has said his party must stop trying to meet a majority’s demands.The Tyrolean told the Kurier newspaper today (Thurs): “We have to leave the idea behind us that we have to satisfy 60 or 70 per cent. The ÖVP is a party with many members. We have […]

Lecturer fined for calling Koran ‘evil’

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Politics

An Islam-criticising lecturer has been fined for vilification of religious theories.Elisabeth Sabaditsch-Wolff was in court yesterday (Tues) for calling Islam “hostile” and the Koran “evil” in a seminar held in a Viennese hotel in 2009.An ongoing debate about the Austrian system of subsidising party academies was fuelled when it emerged that the event – which […]

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 […]

Europe’s far-right factions to meet in Vienna

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Politics

Left-wingers are expected to take to the streets in Vienna today (Fri) to demonstrate against a summit of far-right parties from all over Europe which is taking place in the Austrian capital.Andreas Mölzer, who represents the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) in the European Parliament (EP), said representatives of the Sweden Democrats, Italy’s Lega Nord, the […]

Top congress popularity poll result as Vienna vote nears

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Politics

The Viennese Social Democrats’ (SPÖ) bid to retain their absolute majority in Sunday’s provincial election has received a boost as the city has been found the most popular congress destination in the world.The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) announced today (Mon) Vienna topped the ranking – for which participators of conferences all over the […]

Immigration hardliner Fekter ‘confirmed’ by Sarrazin row

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Politics

People’s Party (ÖVP) Interior Minister Maria Fekter said she “feels confirmed” by the public debate about Thilo Sarrazin’s new book.The former Deutsche Bundesbank executive board member’s bestseller “Deutschland schafft sich ab” (Germany Abolishes Itself) caused outcry with its theories about a possible connection between immigrant’s intelligence, crime rates and their will to integrate.Fekter has been […]

Vienna homeless to pay for shelter as campaigning gets dirty

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Politics

Vienna’s political leaders have been harshly attacked for their decision to ask homeless people to pay for staying at city-funded lodgings.Social Democratic (SPÖ) councillor Sonja Wehsely said today (Weds) homeless people would have to cough up four Euros for every night they spend at the capital’s subsidised emergency shelters from November.The councillor – whose party […]

FPÖ boss wants minarets referendum

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache has announced a referendum over minarets if he wins the upcoming Vienna election.The right-winger announced today (Tues) he will hold a referendum to let residents decide whether they want a law preventing the construction of minarets in the capital.He said: “I will immediately hold a referendum over the issue […]

Minaret debate continues as Vienna vote approaches

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache has spoken out against the construction of additional minarets in Austria.The right-winger said on state-owned TV channel ORF’s “Sommergespräche” (Summer Talks) series last night (Mon): “We say yes to houses of prayers, but no to minarets and muezzins.”Strache’s statement comes after Anas Schakfeh, president of the Austrian Islamic Denomination […]