Next round in ‘part of the game’ trail

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Politics

A provincial high court has annulled a controversial verdict against a leading right-winger. Carinthian Freedom Party (FPK) head Uwe Scheuch, the deputy governor of Carinthia, was found guilty of unjust enrichment by the Provincial Court of Klagenfurt last August. Scheuch was accused of offering political interference in exchange for a donation to his party. A […]

FPÖ justifies ‘Moroccan thieves’ campaign

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Politics

High-ranking representatives of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) have defended controversial slogans of the party’s Tyrolean department. The rightist party’s Innsbruck branch warned from “Moroccan thieves” in rhyme on a recently presented poster. The slogan was part of the FPÖ’s campaign for the upcoming Innsbruck city hall ballot. Residents of the provincial capital of Tyrol will […]

Hofer sceptical about ÖVP’s future impact

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Politics

A renowned political strategist has warned that the People’s Party (ÖVP) could be “pulverised” in the approaching election campaign. Thomas Hofer writes in a guest article for political magazine profil that the conservative party might find it difficult to position itself in the expected war of words between Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and […]

Illicit funding of parties might soon mean prison

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Politics

The opposition wants to apply the criminal law for politicians engaging in the illegal subsidisation of their parties. The Greens, the Freedom Party (FPÖ) and the Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) welcomed such a suggestion of Günther Kräuter, the general secretary of the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ). Kräuter said at the weekend that […]

City coalition wants people to create charter

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Politics

The Viennese government plans to create a charter for better coexistence in the city. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Mayor Michael Häupl said yesterday (Tues) that the Viennese Charter should be formulated by November. He appealed to residents of Vienna to participate in discussing which aspects should be considered by the document. Greens Vice Mayor Maria Vassilakou […]

Revival for rightist Hofburg Palace bash

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Politics

The Freedom Party (FPÖ) has been given the all-clear to host a ball at Hofburg Palace next year. The right-wing faction headed by Heinz-Christian Strache has been accused of failing to disassociate from right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis for decades. Several FPÖ parliament members (MPs) and high-ranking representatives of the party as well as spearheads of […]

FPÖ ball all-clear angers NGOs

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Politics

Refugee charity organisations and anti-fascism groups are infuriated by news that a right-wing movement may host a ball at the presidential office next year. Freedom Party (FPÖ) Vienna whip Johann Gudenus said today (Tues) that managers of Hofburg Palace granted his faction’s application to organise a ball at the venue in 2013. Hofburg Palace is […]

ÖH attacks minister as tuition fees dispute intensifies

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Politics

The Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH) has accused Science Minister Karlheinz Töchterle of refusing to face the facts. ÖH officials said yesterday (Mon) the member of the People’s Party’s (ÖVP) team of ministers “must accept reality” and ensure public subsidies of the 21 state-funded universities of Austria. ÖH leaders made the science minister aware of a […]

Austria keeps top rating

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Business

Moody’s has confirmed Austria’s credit rating. The influential rating agency said on Friday it decided not to lower the country’s rating from the best-possible grade of AAA. Moody’s added that it did not touch the Austrian economy’s outlook either. The rating agency explained Austria’s economy was doing well thanks to its muscular export industry. Moody’s […]

Strache security punches party-goer

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Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) boss Heinz-Christian Strache is in hot water after a bodyguard put a man into hospital last weekend. One of Strache’s three personal security guards attacked another guest of a club in Vienna-Favoriten on Saturday night. The man – understood to be an internationally successful banker – threw a ham roll and ice […]