Austria’s provinces will be allowed to breach upcoming debt limit regulations in extraordinary circumstances, it emerged yesterday evening (Tues). David Brenner, the financial councillor of Salzburg and head of the council of councillors for financial affairs, announced that the country’s nine provinces were given the right to spend more than scheduled in the next nine […]
Tag: EU
Rating agencies ‘expect clear signal’
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Bernhard Felderer has explained why the Austrian government is well advised to fight for a two-third majority approval of its debt limit project. Social Democrats (SPÖ) and People’s Party (ÖVP) are currently trying to convince the Greens and the rightist Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) that its stricter budget path until 2020 was […]
Debt brake meets mounting mistrust
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The political leaders of Austria’s provinces are at odds about the government’s debt limit decision. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger announced on Tuesday that the coalition decided to implement a so-called debt brake. The government is dependent on the support of at least one of the […]
Kubilius backs EU’s disputed duo
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Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has claimed the leadership position of Germany and France “is not a bad development.” Kubilius told Austrian daily Die Presse today (Mon): “I don’t think it is a bad development that France and Germany take leading roles trying to solve this crisis. Solving crises needs new ideas and leadership. (…) […]
Austrian AAA ‘at risk’
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A leading economist has warned Austria may lose its top credit rating. Bernhard Felderer said yesterday (Weds) the alpine country’s outlook may be downgraded by the world’s leading rating agencies due to the economic turmoil in Italy. Austria has close business ties with the country which borders it in the south. Italy has been one […]
Demonstrations have reached Salzburg as the Chinese president continued his visit to Austria yesterday (Mon). Hu Jintao – who arrived in Vienna on Sunday – was shielded from the street marches and silent vigils attended by hundreds of Austrians and foreigners at various locations in the centre of the Austrian capital yesterday. A woman joining […]
AAA rating not at risk, says Fekter
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Finance Minister Maria Fekter has claimed Austria’s triple A rating is “safe” despite banks’ struggles in Eastern Europe (EE). The People’s Party (ÖVP) minister told radio station Ö1 on Saturday that she saw no imminent risk to Austria losing its top rating currently established by the world’s leading credit rating agencies. However, the minister admitted […]
US activist issues final PNR warning
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A human rights activist has highlighted the consequences an expected agreement between the European Union (EU) and the USA will have on travellers’ personal rights. US campaigner Edward Hasbrouck said speaking to the Kurier that the so-called Passenger Name Record (PNR) regulation – on which the EU and the United States are set to agree […]
Alfred Gusenbauer has revealed details of his engagement at one of the best universities in the world. The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) chancellor told newspaper Die Presse yesterday (Mon) he was about to become a permanent lecturer at Harvard University. The institute – which is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States – is […]
Patten wants immigration rethink
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Chris Patten has called on Europeans to treat immigrants better. The former European Commissioner for External Relations said today (Tues): “Yes, we do have the highest quality of living in Europe. However, we ignore the need for reforms to sustain this standard.” Speaking to Austrian newspaper Die Presse, the ex-governor of Hong Kong criticised that […]