Trust poll shocks quarrelling government

Categories
Politics

The Austrian government has suffered heavily over the level of trust it enjoys, a new poll shows.Research firm Karmasin found that 67 per cent of Austrians have less trust now in the joint administration of Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) than they had one year ago.The agency, which spoke to around […]

Strache’s Israel trip causes a stir

Categories
Politics

Officials in Austria are at odds over Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache’s decision to travel to Israel.The right-winger visited Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a territory Palestinians are also claiming. Speaking about the ongoing conflict about the area and the throwbacks the peace talks have suffered, Strache said in the West Bank area […]

Wide support for car-free Mariahilfer Straße

Categories
Politics

Plans to turn Mariahilfer Straße, one of Vienna’s most popular shopping streets, into a pedestrian area would be well received, a poll has shown.More than six in 10 (60.3 per cent) readers of the Austrian broadcaster ORF’s news website back such an idea, whereas around 35 per cent oppose it. Votes are still coming in […]

FPÖ official sentenced over rifle threat

Categories
General News

A rightist politician has been given a suspended prison sentence for threatening his son with a rifle.Valentin Silberstein, who heads the Freedom Party’s (FPÖ) branch in the Lower Austrian town of Traismauer, fired a shot with his Winchester rifle at a company estate in Grafenwörth in the presence of his 19-year-old son last month.The teenager, […]

Far-right surge fears as Gudenus set to head FPÖ Vienna

Categories
Politics

An up-and-coming right-winger has been elected as executive chief of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) in the city parliament of Vienna.Johann Gudenus received unanimous support by the party board in a summit in Mauerbach near Vienna today (Weds). Gudenus will lead the FP֒s delegation in the city parliament after the party’s 10 October election campaign front […]

Politician ‘threatened son with rifle’

Categories
General News

A Freedom Party (FPÖ) official has been arrested for threatening his son with a rifle, according to reports.Viennese newspaper Heute reports today (Tues) that Valentin Silberstein, head of the rightist party’s branch in Traismauer, Lower Austria, was put in custody for firing shots with his Winchester rifle at a company estate in Grafenwörth in the […]

Vienna gets first SPÖ-Greens coalition

Categories
Politics

Freedom Party (FPÖ) leader Heinz-Christian Strache has vowed “resistance” as the Viennese Social Democrats (SPÖ) and the Greens have agreed to cooperate in the city parliament.The right-winger said today (Fri): “We will fight this horrific experiment, of course.”Strache, whose party garnered almost 26 per cent in last month’s city ballot, also announced plans to hold […]

Chase foreigners off if you don’t want them, says Turkish ambassador

Categories
Politics

The Turkish ambassador in Vienna has risked a serious thrift between Austria and Turkey with statements made in an exceptional interview.Speaking to Austrian newspaper Die Presse, Kadri Ecvet Tezcan claimed Turks in Vienna knew they were not welcome in Austria. He also revealed having been told that the Austrian foreign minister does not welcome ambassadors […]

Poor support for SPÖ-ÖVP after budget revelations

Categories
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 […]

Conservatives ignored immigration issues, says Thierse

Categories
Politics

Wolfgang Thierse has claimed Germany’s conservative parties are in trouble after ignoring integration problems for too long.The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) official told Austrian newspaper Die Presse today (Mon): “The SPD doesn’t have a particular problem regarding immigration topics – in contrast to the conservative parties since they closed their eyes for too […]