Bank Austria (BA) CEO Willibald Cernko has warned from letting Greece go bust. Cernko said at the weekend Europe “should consider very well whether it would be a good idea to dismiss a country from the Eurozone.” The banker claimed such a move “would put the European project into question.” The BA chief warned that […]
Tag: government
Social Democratic (SPÖ) whip Josef Cap has said he is optimistic about strong support for a reform of the parliament by all represented factions. The long-time member of parliament (MP) said today (Fri) he was certain that the opposition would approve plans for a reduction of the federal parliament too “if the concept is convincing”. […]
Milanovic makes job pledge
Categories
Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic has identified creating jobs as his chief priority. The head of the Social Democratic Party of Croatia (SDP), who became prime minister of the former Yugoslavian country after the general election last December, said in Vienna yesterday (Thurs) his main goal was to consolidate the Croatian budget and improve its […]
Viennese Social Democratic (SPÖ) Financial Affairs Councillor Renate Brauner has stressed that “immense challenges” are ahead for the city. Brauner told the Kurier today (Fri) that the Viennese SPÖ-Greens coalition would try to avoid a decrease of service quality to citizens despite the need to save one billion Euros in the coming five years. Brauner […]
OeNB boss criticises credit rating agency
Categories
The head of the Austrian National Bank (OeNB) has questioned Moody’s decision to lower the outlook on the Austrian economy’s further development. OeNB Governor Ewald Nowotny said yesterday (Tues) that the government’s 27-billion-Euro budget consolidation package “is a step into the right direction”. He said the rating agency may not have considered the coalition’s measures […]
Greens write off debt brake accord
Categories
Greens chairwoman Eva Glawischnig has claimed the government stopped being interested in adding a debt brake to the constitution. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger of the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) announced in November they agreed on establishing a constitutional debt limit. The government leaders said the measure should help […]
Austrians unimpressed by rising rents
Categories
Almost one out of five Austrians consider investing in real estate within the next 12 months, according to an investigation. Public opinion agency Integral found that 19 per cent of Austrians planned to spend money on properties in the coming 12 months – five per cent more than in the previous quarter. The research group’s […]
Upper Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) Governor Josef Pühringer has put the federal government’s cost reduction course into question. Pühringer said today (Tues): “Everybody who thinks that subsidies could be reduced by billions of Euros is wrong.” The ÖVP wants to reduce the state’s annual spending on private and public companies, cultural institutions and various organisations […]
Schlecker to sell foreign business
Categories
Works council chiefs and unionists are closely observing developments at Schlecker as the German drugstore chain revealed plans to sell its international business. Schlecker officials announced yesterday (Mon) they wanted to put the firm’s foreign activities for sale to ensure meeting creditors’ demands. The Ehingen-based enterprise started controlled insolvency procedures last month. Schlecker, which runs […]
Austria is investigating how much money it could generate by a tax on financial transactions, according to Chancellor Werner Faymann. The chairman of the Austrian Social Democratic Party (SPÖ) told radio station Ö1 this morning (Tues) a team of experts were examining the issue for the government coalition of his party and the People’s Party […]