Unanimous praise for State Opera Ball

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Culture

Political leaders and showbiz stars had only kind words about last night’s (Thurs) Opera Ball. Austrian President Heinz Fischer said the event had nothing to do with the corruption scandals former Austrian government ministers, businesspeople and lobbyists are accused of being involved in. A special parliamentary commission headed by Gabriela Moser of the Green Party […]

Pröll proposes presidential reform

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Politics

Erwin Pröll has suggested not forgetting about the office of the federal president when it comes to making cuts. The provincial governor of Lower Austria – one of the most influential members of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) – said yesterday (Mon) Austria should consider introducing a model similar to the one used in Switzerland. […]

Protests follow Hu to Salzburg

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Politics

Several street protests overshadowed the final day of Hu Jintao’s visit to Austria. Hundreds of people gathered along the roads of the province of Salzburg as the convoy of the Chinese leader and his 150-member delegation passed yesterday morning (Tues) to visit a farm. Hu and the other political and business officials also went on […]

Free Tibet marches tarnish Hu visit

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Politics

Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest against China’s stance on human rights and democracy as Heinz Fischer welcomed Hu Jintao at Hofburg Palace in Vienna this morning (Mon). The Austrian president discussed economic issues with his Chinese counterpart as they met for the first time since Fischer went on a state visit […]

President’s tax appeal upsets ÖVP

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Politics

Federal President Heinz Fischer has been criticised for backing calls for higher taxes on assets. The former Social Democratic (SPÖ) member of the federal parliament (MP) said yesterday (Sun) he worried about the social peace and balance in the country. Fischer said he would like to put the opinion that Austria’s rich must not be […]

Komorowski and Fischer to meet one year after ash cloud controversy

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Politics

Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski will visit Austria later this month. The office of Austrian President Heinz Fischer announced today (Fri) that the former Polish minister of defence will arrive for talks in Vienna on 13 July. The presidential office explained Komorowski was also set to meet Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann, and the SPÖ’s […]

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 […]

Russian leaders’ cockfight tarnishes Fischer visit

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Politics

More than 100 entrepreneurs are accompanying Austrian President Heinz Fischer on his state visit to Russia as firms hope to benefit from the prospering economy of the Eurasian country.Fischer, who met with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday (Thurs), was welcomed by the country’s Prime Minister and ex-President Vladimir Putin today. The talks were overshadowed by […]

Right-wingers angered by ‘monarchist’ Fischer

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Politics

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) has questioned Federal President Heinz Fischer’s approach to democracy over controversial statements in a recent interview.Fischer – a former Social Democratic (SPÖ) president of the federal parliament and science minister – told the Kurier newspaper some days ago that he would not have to inaugurate FPÖ boss Heinz-Christian Strache as federal […]

Fischer ‘impressed’ by Singapore

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Politics

Austrian President Heinz Fischer has made his second visit to Asia within four months.Fischer, who met with Malaysia’s political elite last November, was welcomed by leading politicians and businesspeople in Singapore yesterday (Mon) and today. The former vice chairman of the Austrian Social Democrats (SPÖ) – who is currently serving a second and final term […]