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 […]
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 […]
The Association of Austrian Taxpayers has spoken out against the creation of a list of tax dodgers. The organisation said yesterday (Weds) that a decision like that would mean a “step backwards” in modern civil society. It stressed that not everyone accused of tax evasion was a criminal. “Many people whose names may be found […]
Salzburg’s Social Democrats (SPÖ) have made their appeal for tuition fees official. The provincial branch of the SPÖ supported a draft bill created by the conservative People’s Party (ÖVP) yesterday (Weds). SPÖ and ÖVP plan to finalise their concept for an appeal to the federal government coalition next week. This decision could intensify the ongoing […]
Defence Minister Norbert Darabos has hit back after a fellow Social Democrat (SPÖ) suggested to sell Austria’s Eurofighter jet fleet. SPÖ General Secretary Günther Kräuter said on Sunday Austria could get rid of its 15 fighter aircraft due to non-existent war concerns. Kräuter argued the alpine country was under higher financial and economic risk these […]
People’s Party (ÖVP) Finance Minister Maria Fekter has intensified the increasing public budget path arguments by suggesting that young teachers should work more for less. The ÖVP vice leader said yesterday (Thurs) young people starting in the profession could do 27 instead of 21 hours a week. She told Die Presse that her plan was […]
The head of one of Europe’s most successful railroad companies has said he is convinced that Austria’s Federal Railways (ÖBB) has a future. Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) chief Andreas Meyer told Die Presse today (Fri) that “there might be synergies (in the next 20 years), but SBB and ÖBB will stay independent companies.” SBB is […]
The government and pensioners’ union officials agreed to increase pensions next year. Karl Blecha, who represents the Social Democratic pensioners, and his conservative association partner Andreas Khol met Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann and People’s Party (ÖVP) Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger for talks in Vienna yesterday evening (Mon). ÖVP Finance Minister Maria Fekter and […]
Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has claimed the leadership position of Germany and France “is not a bad development.” Kubilius told Austrian daily Die Presse today (Mon): “I don’t think it is a bad development that France and Germany take leading roles trying to solve this crisis. Solving crises needs new ideas and leadership. (…) […]
Rebecca Musgrave Wine-makers were more than satisfied after the first drinking of the new harvest in Deutschkreutz, in the district of Oberpullendorf in Burgenland province, yesterday evening (Thurs). After a long, warm summer growers expected not only a high quality vintage but hope that the harvest of over 715,000 hectolitres in Burgenland will make up […]