Political financing could be reformed

Categories
Politics

The government is one step closer to passing a new party subsidisation law. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Media Secretary Josef Ostermayer – who represents his party in the talks with the opposition – expressed confidence regarding presenting the amendment in parliament in around two weeks’ time. SPÖ Chancellor Werner Faymann recently underlined that he wanted the […]

Prosecutors examine TA’s Serbian adventure

Categories
Business

Austrian investors who cooperated with Telekom Austria (TA) are facing fraud investigations. Magazine profil reported in its online edition yesterday (Thurs) that anti-corruption investigators started examining the actions of billionaire Martin Schlaff and former People’s Party (ÖVP) chief Josef Taus, one of Austria’s busiest investors. TA benefited from Schlaff’s engagements in Bulgaria where the Austrian […]

Spindelegger concept ‘imprecise and wrong’

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Politics

A leading Social Democrat (SPÖ) has rejected the People’s Party’s (ÖVP) latest suggestions to economise. ÖVP boss Michael Spindelegger said yesterday (Thurs) that the state could save “more than 10 billion Euros” altogether by 2016 by reducing certain investments. Spindelegger made clear that the agricultural sector would not be spared from austerity measures. However, the […]

Moser warns against ‘risking our kids’ future’

Categories
Politics

The head of the Federal Audit Office (RH) has appealed to political leaders to avoid “gambling away the future of our children”. Josef Moser provided the government coalition and the parliament’s opposition factions with a list of 599 suggestions where the country could become more efficient as lawmakers keep arguing over how to slash the […]

Placebo worries tarnish debt limit talks

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Politics

Alliance for the Future of Austria (BZÖ) boss Josef Bucher has labelled the government’s debt limit bill a “placebo brake” as chances for an accord between the coalition and one of the parliament’s three opposition parties are decreasing. The right-winger said today (Thurs) he was willing to fight for an agreement until Monday but also […]

Faymann bullish about debt limit

Categories
Politics

The government’s debt brake bill might not become a constitutional law. Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann said today (Fri) he was ready to prepare a regular law instead of trying to add the debt limit to the constitution if the opposition kept refusing support. The coalition of SPÖ and the People’s Party (ÖVP) needs […]

Interest in politics hits all-time low

Categories
Politics

Fewer Austrians than ever before are interested in politics, according to a poll. Research group Imas said yesterday (Weds) only five per cent of citizens explained they were “strongly interested” in developments in interior politics. Around three in four admitted being indifferent or uninterested. Imas explained the percentage figure of those very interested has never […]

Strache sends emissary to Libya

Categories
Politics

An Austrian right-winger has travelled to Libya in an alleged attempt to end the violent conflict in the North African country. Freedom Party (FPÖ) boss Heinz-Christian Strache confirmed today (Mon) that FPÖ Vienna councillor David Lasar was in Tripoli, the federal capital of the civil war-shattered nation. Strache explained he decided to send Lasar as […]

Eurofighter jet damaged in aquaplaning landing

Categories
General News

A fighter jet was damaged during landing yesterday (Weds) as the runway was slippery after a heavy rainfall.Officials at the army base in Zeltweg, Styria, said today the Eurofighter pilot had to use the jet’s parachute to create a braking effect. Its bottom panel and engine were damaged in the landing procedure, they added.Austrian army […]

More attempted illegal entries at Austrian-German border recorded

Categories
General News

The number of people stopped trying to illegally enter Germany via Austria is soaring.Police in the German State of Bavaria said today (Fri) officials prevented 2,800 attempts of people trying to enter the country illegally from Austria. This is a 15 per cent year on year increase, they stressed.Officials added there were 270 prevented attempts […]