Austrian children heading for EU youth Parliament

Categories
Education

Austrian youngsters are involved in a simulated EU Parliament project in Vienna entitled “Bridge the Gap” in which the best in various debating seminars are invited to Brussels. The various discussions took place between the 26 on 30 April with about 150 youngsters from across Austria involved. The aim was to simulate the work of […]

Faymann plans Stiftungsrat restructuring

Categories
Business

Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann considers a reform of national broadcaster ORF’s Stiftungsrat for the foreseeable future. The Stiftungsrat is a council with 35 members which has a function similar to a supervisory board. It is widely seen as an essential tool to Austria’s parties when it comes to trying to make themselves heard […]

Ackerl wants party to veto EU financial rescue bids

Categories
Politics

The Social Democrats (SPÖ) are in turmoil after a provincial department chief has suggested blocking European decisions to increase chances of the introduction of a new levy. SPÖ Upper Austria boss Josef Ackerl said yesterday (Weds) the federal party board should veto European Union (EU) actions considering debt-stricken members like Greece. Ackerl argued Austrians would […]

Leitner calls for CEO pay cut

Categories
Business

A leading Social Democrat (SPÖ) has suggested business bosses should not earn more than the president. Josef Leitner, who heads the SPÖ’s branch in the province of Upper Austria, said today (Thurs) CEOs of companies in which the state holds stakes could have their wages cut owing to the volatile economic climate. The left-winger argued […]

Another ÖVP MEP quits

Categories
Politics

The People’s Party (ÖVP) is in turmoil after two members of the European Parliament (MEP) quit within days.MEP Helga Ranner announced yesterday (Tues) she decided to resign. Austrian newspapers claimed Ranner tried to cover personal debts of around seven million Euros with MEPs’ reimbursement of expenses.Ranner vehemently denied the accusations, but argued the reports have […]

Cycling helmet law for kids planned

Categories
Politics

Austrian decision-makers have revealed plans to introduce a cycling helmet law for children.Social Democratic (SPÖ) Traffic Minister Doris Bures said in a TV interview yesterday (Sun) that she was in favour of a decree forcing everyone under the age of 10 to wear helmets while cycling.Bures explained that the law was part of a traffic […]

Most Austrians want plastic bags banned

Categories
General News

The  vast majority of Austrians would support a ban on plastic bags, according to a poll.Viennese researcher Karmasin found that 73 per cent of Austrians would back such a law, while only 24 per cent rejected the suggestion. The agency said the number of supporters of a ban on the ecologically harmful bags seems to […]